Australia’s biofuel production to reach over 1.5 bn litres
As the production of crude oil begins to slow in Australia, biofuels production looks set to increase and it has been estimated that this will more than double by 2015.
Increased installed capacity coupled with a continuous rise in demand for green transport fuel could see Australia’s output capacity reach 1.519 billion litres in five years’ time, up from its 2010 production output of 636 million litres, reports private consultancy firm EPCA Biofuel Consultants.
The rise will also see an increase in the need for sugarcane as most of the biofuel required to be blended with petrol is ethanol. While starch, molasses and sorghum will remain the main feedstocks for ethanol production in Australia, others such as sugarcane may see a rise in demand. According to joint chief executive at APAC Mike Cockran, ethanol is already established as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, while biodiesel still needs to gain sustainable scale.
The report comes after biofuel demand in the nation grew 34% between 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Cockran said: ‘Biofuels are increasingly contributing to the Australian transport fuel mix, replacing imports, assisting fuel security and providing environmental advantages.’ Imported oil to Australia currently supplies around 40% of Australia’s need for oil.
The report also stated that installed ethanol capacity is set to rise to 910 million litres by 2015, up from the current 350 million litres. This will occur as Australian states increase biofuel mandates.
Just one biodiesel production facility is currently under development in Australia as National Biodiesel is building its $220 million (€161.4 Billion) soyabean-to-biodiesel plant in Port Kembla.
However biodiesel production levels could rise significantly, resulting in Australia having to import 1.4 million tonnes of soyabeans a year before a sustainable soyabeans production base is developed.
Increased installed capacity coupled with a continuous rise in demand for green transport fuel could see Australia’s output capacity reach 1.519 billion litres in five years’ time, up from its 2010 production output of 636 million litres, reports private consultancy firm EPCA Biofuel Consultants.
The rise will also see an increase in the need for sugarcane as most of the biofuel required to be blended with petrol is ethanol. While starch, molasses and sorghum will remain the main feedstocks for ethanol production in Australia, others such as sugarcane may see a rise in demand. According to joint chief executive at APAC Mike Cockran, ethanol is already established as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, while biodiesel still needs to gain sustainable scale.
The report comes after biofuel demand in the nation grew 34% between 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Cockran said: ‘Biofuels are increasingly contributing to the Australian transport fuel mix, replacing imports, assisting fuel security and providing environmental advantages.’ Imported oil to Australia currently supplies around 40% of Australia’s need for oil.
The report also stated that installed ethanol capacity is set to rise to 910 million litres by 2015, up from the current 350 million litres. This will occur as Australian states increase biofuel mandates.
Just one biodiesel production facility is currently under development in Australia as National Biodiesel is building its $220 million (€161.4 Billion) soyabean-to-biodiesel plant in Port Kembla.
However biodiesel production levels could rise significantly, resulting in Australia having to import 1.4 million tonnes of soyabeans a year before a sustainable soyabeans production base is developed.
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