IDC Predicts Annual Biofuel Output of South Africa at 300 Million Litres

IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) has conducted pre-feasibility studies towards three biofuel projects in South Africa with each of these biofuel plants slated to produce 100 million litres of biofuel annually. The studies also show that a total cost of developing these plants would amount to 5.1 billion rands.

South Africa revealed the blending ratios for the biofuels way back in 2007, but has excluded maize, the country’s staple food, in order to rein in higher prices and towards ensuring food security. Farmers in the country have however called for a policy change repeatedly towards allowing maize in the production of biofuels so that profits can be improved and energy costs lowered.

As per the IDC, bioethanol production amounting to 300 million litres would require these three plants to produce 100 million litres annually while each project would cost about 1.7 billion rands, by 2016.