Philippine agency authorizes ethanol imports to meet local mandate

The National Biofuels Board (NBB) in the Philippines has authorized oil companies to import as much as 184 million liters of ethanol this year to meet government requirements for mandated fuel blending. This volume can more than satisfy demand for ethanol, which is estimated to reach 208 million liters in 2009, said Rosemarie Gumera, focal person for biofuels under the office of NBB Vice Chairman Rafael Coscolluela. Beginning 2009, oil companies are required by the biofuels law to blend 5% ethanol in gasoline. The law also mandates an increase in the blend to 10% in 2011. According to the Philippine Energy Plan for 2007-2014, a minimum blend of 5% ethanol will require 208.11 million liters of ethanol in 2009 and a 10% blend will require 460.63 million liters in 2011. (January 27, 2009)