BANGKOK – The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangchak Petroleum Plc and three transportation and logistics operators to use B20 biodiesel in their vehicles.
According to Energy Minister Gen. Anantaporn Kanjanarat, this pilot project will spend 115 million baht from the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund to subsidize the alternative fuel. The signatory companies can purchase up to 50,000 liters of B20 per vehicle at 4 baht per liter. B20 biodiesel is currently 2.50 baht per liter more expensive than petroleum diesel.
Meanwhile, Gen. Anantaporn has disclosed that a feasibility study is being conducted to evaluate the use of B10 biodiesel in military and government transports. He said the fuel would be available commercially after his ministry negotiates with car manufacturers to produce vehicles that run on the alternative fuel.
The minister is confident that Thailand will be able to produce enough palm oil for biodiesel production. Currently, the country has a biodiesel production capacity of 4.2 million liters per day.
Gen. Anantaporn has speculated that when B10 and B20 become commercially available, the demand for biodiesel will jump to more than 10 million liters per day.
