Thailand’s Energy Ministry delays B5 diesel mandate

Thailand’s Energy Ministry has delayed its move to mandate the use of B5 (5% biodiesel blend) diesel fuel, citing that the recent flood crisis has extensively damaged oil palm plantations, a raw material for biodiesel. Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said the B5 mandate will be delayed to mid-January or until as late as March. Wannarat said he fears the current oil palm reserve will not be enough to meet demand during the New Year holidays. The minister added that he has instructed the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency to work with the Agriculture and Commerce ministries to obtain exact figures on current oil palm output. (November 26, 2010)