Zimbabwe embarks on eco friendly fuel project
http://www.theindependent.co.zw/
Thursday, 17 November 2011 16:22
Paul Nyakazeya
ZIMBABWE through Green Fuel has joined a growing list of world economies
taking up the call to reduce carbon emission while enjoying local benefits
of a homegrown solution to fuel independence. Green Fuel ethanol is produced
locally from sugar cane grown in Chisumbanje. The ethanol project has
created more than 4 500 jobs to date in agriculture and offers training and
skills development in the new technologies introduced by the Green Fuel
ethanol plant.
Ethanol is a safe, clean transportation fuel, which will reduce pump prices
and bring significant benefits to industry, business and individuals across
the country.
By being locally produced Green Fuel ethanol will save on fuel importation
and transportation costs.
Green Fuel produces anhydrous ethanol using the latest plant and
distillation technologies from Brazil. This is a new generation, high
quality biofuel and is the best performing fuel on the market.
Ethanol blends of 10% and up to 25%, are safe for use in al petrol vehicles,
offering a clean efficient fuel with a higher octane rating and improved
performance of your petrol vehicle. It is easy and safe to switch between
blend and 100% petrol.
Currently, regional market comparisons indicate that the pump price of
petrol in South Africa is R10,77 (US$1,35), the rest of the region is
experiencing a price range of between US$1,50 and US$1,70.
Zimbabwe’s fuel prices last week tumbled in the backdrop of Green Fuel’s
introduction of blend into the local market. Green Fuel blend entered the
market at a retail offering of $1,36 per litre effectively giving the
motorist cheaper fuel than the US$1,42 to US$1,44 price range.
Local produced ethanol is said to be revolutionising the fuel market,
protecting the local consumer from ripple effects of increases global oil
prices with Green Fuel’s blend being on the market at a competitive US$1,36.
Green Fuel spokesperson Lilian Muungani told Independent Motoring on Monday
that market reaction to the product has been overwhelming and effort was
underway to ensure the distribution is nationwide.
“We are open to supply everyone and we urge distributors outside Harare to
approach us for commercial agreements,” she said.
She said the last two week’s experience in the fuel market presents Zimbabwe
with all forms of possibilities informing of a revolution that will not only
stabilise fuel prices, but will also turn the wheels of economic recovery
towards accelerated growth.
“The 10% minimum blend ratio has had an impact of a downward movement in the
price of blend by about eight cents,” Muungani said.
There is more benefit awaiting the consumer if authorities increase the
blend ratio. Research has shown that a blend ratio of up to 20% has no
resulting technical effects on the vehicles therefore if the blend ratio
goes up to this figure the consumer is presented with a cost saving of up to
16 cents this is likely to bring the price of blend further down to the
$1,25 and for the first time in the history of this country fuel may be
priced lower than in South Africa.
“This will have a huge positive impact on the general industrial performance
as well as the small to medium enterprise sector in the rural areas whose
operations hinge on the movement of commodities from major industrial
cities,” said Muungani
A cursory look at the fuel trends within the region shows that most of
Zimbabwe’s neighbours remain vulnerable to the oscillating international oil
prices from which Zimbabwe will be cushioned henceforth. The Malawi Energy
Regulatory Authority (Mera) this week announced a 30% hike in fuel prices.
This, the board indicated, was meant to cover the rising costs of fuel
importation. The energy regulatory authority further announced that the
price hike had been effected in consideration of other macroeconomic
fundamentals affecting the price of petroleum products. The South African
Energy Department recently announced a 23% hike in fuel prices surprising
petrol consumer with R10,77 cents per litre (US$1,35).
But for the motoring public, questions abound on fuelling on blend from
ethanol with questions bordering on safety for the engine, impact on
performance and most importantly the issue of economic savings against
mileage to be achieved being asked.
For many urbanites, air pollution in most urban centers is no longer a
distant subject confined to environmental discussions at international
forums. Rather, it has become a daily reality invading one’s nostrils as
emissions from industrial and motoring activity combine to form a thick
layer in the atmosphere.
The benefit resulting from ethanol use to citizens is cleaner air resulting
to healthier people, especially those that suffer from respiratory diseases.
Ethanol is a clean burning fuel that reduced air pollution and decreases
green house gas emissions by over 60% and as high as 90%.