Biofuels strategy to be finalised by June

The key challenges the strategy would need to address were the costs of the technology to develop the biofuels and the production plants. It is planned that by 2013 biofuels would constitute 4.5% of motor fuel sold, because this fuel would contain either an 8% ethanol blend or a 2% biodiesel blend, notes Business Report. Sandile Tyatya, the Department of Mineral and Energy’s Chief Director of Clean Energy, said that more than 200 submissions had been received from stakeholders regarding the draft biofuels strategy. Tyatya added there was a possibility that the government would increase the level of incentives for biofuels in the final biofuels strategy. Full report in Business Report

However, opposition MPs have expressed concern about government\'s plans to use maize for the production of biofuel, saying this would not help to bring down the level of harmful emission of greenhouse gases, reports Business Day. ANC MPs also voiced concern over the use of food crops for fuel when many people lacked enough food. Cosatu, too, has shot down the government’s draft biofuels strategy, warning that it would enrich large industries at the expense of the poor’s access to land, food and water, reports The Mercury. Citing studies by researchers at the University of Berkeley, California, the union said plant-derived fuels consumed large quantities of fuel and energy during the growing, harvesting and refining process, and SA should rather devote more effort to solar and wind energy options. Full report in Business Day Full report in The Mercury