Spain approves mandate for 8.5% biofuel blending by 2020

Spain has set a mandate for a biofuel blending target of 8.5% in its petrol and diesel supply by 2020.

In a statement, the Spanish ministry of Industry, Energy, and Tourism says to reach the target, the country will start by requiring a 4.3% blend from next year, which will be scaled up by the end of the decade.

Spain aims to produce 20% of its electricity from renewables by 2020, in line with EU regulations, and says that 10% of transport energy should come from clean sources.

Despite the government’s recent cuts to renewable subsidies, the energy ministry still expects renewables to cover around 19% of energy production by 2020.

Spain has set a limit of 7% on the use of biofuels from edible sources due to concerns of them competing with demand for food.

The government plans to establish a target for second-generation biofuels by 2017.

Source: Bloomberg Business