Laos eyes home-grown biofuel standard
Laos eyes home-grown biofuel standard
Laos will struggle to attain a high standard of biofuel in the short term, compared to other countries, but is nevertheless continually striving towards this goal.
Director General of the Institute of Renewable Energy Promotion, Mr Hatsady Sysoulath, made the comment last week during a discussion on biofuel standards in Laos.
“In the case of Laos, I suggest we formulate a biofuel standard with uncomplicated criteria, as has been done in other countries,” he said.
The Lao government aims to produce 25 million litres of biofuel by 2015, with 15 percent to be bio-diesel and the rest bio-benzene. It is estimated that this amount should constitute 10 percent of imported fuel by 2025.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines has teamed up with private entities such as Kolao Farm and the Bio-Energy Company to produce more than 200,000 litres of BD5 (bio-diesel mixed with 5 percent jatropha oil), and is targeting BD5 production of more than 1 million litres this year.
“Even though the ministry and these companies have produced blended forms of bio-diesel (BD5, BD10), we still do not have our own standard as a platform for further implementation of the plan,” Mr Hatsady said.
The companies have also produced BD100, and samples have been tested in labs at the National University of Laos and Khon Kaen University in Thailand. When compared with the standard set by the American Society for Testing and Materials, the parameters of jatropha oil were close to those of diesel.
The formulation of a standard for biofuel aims to protect consumer rights as people may be affected by using substandard products. Fuel used around the country comes from many sources, including from local producers who use waste materials such as discarded tyres and plastic bags in the manufacture of fuel.
Mr Hatsady said the effects of long term use of substandard fuel may not be apparent at first but would show up in the long term. The government should regulate the situation by creating the necessary mechanisms to be administered by the responsible unit.
The setting of a biofuel standard is also part of Laos' preparations for integration in the regional and international communities. All vehicles used in Laos are imported, mainly from Thailand, the Republic of Korea, China, and Japan.
The two-day discussion was organised by the Institute of Renewable Energy Promotion with sponsorship from the Asian Development Bank and led by experts from the Bank, Thailand and Japan.
“We may not be able to reach a high standard but we should consider regional integration, especially membership in the Asean Community,” Mr Hatsady said.
vientiane times
