Illustrative image (Photo: bangkokpost) Bangkok (VNA) – The Energy Ministry of Thailandhas set a time frame to transition to gasohol E20 as the primary petrol gradeby early next year to boost the value of commodity crops used in biofuelproduction.
Speaking to the press, Thai Energy Minister SontiratSontijirawong said the country will use agricultural commodities like palm oil,sugar and cassava to produce biofuel.
Gasohol is a biofuel made from cassava and sugar blended withunleaded petrol in proportions of 10 percent, 20 percent or 85 percent. It wasintroduced to Thai motorists for commercial sale in 2008, followed by E20 andE85 a few years later.
Thailand has five categories of petrol: gasohol 91 E10, gasohol95 E10, gasohol E20, gasohol E85 and premium ULG 95 petrol. The government aimsto cut down to just three or four types of petrol.
The Energy Business Department is studying how to mandate E20 tobe available nationwide, as well as considering how to deal with the impact ofgasohol E20 if it becomes the primary petrol.
Sontirat said the ministry plans to discuss the issue withrelevant firms and authorities in the oil trade, biofuels and automotivesectors to prepare for the possibility.
In 2020, the primary fuel for diesel willchange to B10 derived from crude palm oil, which is 10 percent biofuel and 90percent diesel, replacing B7, which will be downgraded to an alternativechoice.
B10 is estimated to absorb surplus crude palmoil by 2.2 million tonnes per year or 66 percent of total output. B7 absorbs1.6-1.7 million tonnes per year./.
