Praj and AEG come to an understanding
The agreement is based on the EU sustainability criteria and principles on biodiesel.
Chairman and CEO of AEG, Daniel Gezahegne says: ‘AEG and Praj are planning to attain 20% biodiesel for various transportation as well as consumption. Also within eight to ten years' time, the companies will have commercial quality jatropha which is an input for the fabrication of biodiesel’.
The Praj and AEG plan to use 15,000 hectares of land in Benishangul Gumuz regional state in Ethiopia and will send a team of experts to the area in January 2010.
Gezahegne said: ‘We use bare land, which is not occupied by farmers to grow jatropha and castor oil. We also take into consideration forestation and soil preservation which makes us socially, economically and environmentally responsible’.
The deal Praj signed with Eco-Energy S.C is similar to the MoU between Praj and AEG.
Eco Energy S.C will start operation in the Oromia and Southern Regional states of Ethiopia. Eco Energy S.C and Praj explore using jatropha and castor oil, producing oils locally to export and also offering products to the local market.