Green Fuel's E20 blending scheduled for April 2015

The management team at Green Fuel's Chisumbanje ethanol plant plans to introduce E20 fuel blending in April 2015, providing it receives necessary investment.

'There is the need to plan and synchronise production, milling, purification and other processes across the value chain,' said Basil Nyabadza, board chairman, ARDA, adding that by April next year, the plant will be able to produce E20.

Last year, fuel blending started at 5% ethanol and 95% unleaded petrol, following the issuance of an ethanol production and mandatory blending licence to Green Fuel.

The blending mix then increased to 10% and currently sits at 15%.

Those supporting the project believe the facility has the capacity to produce 120 million litres of anhydrous and high quality ethanol per year suitable for blending with petrol for vehicles up to E20 or use in flex fuel vehicles, which use E85.