Higher biodiesel blend takes effect

THE MANDATE for oil companies to increase the coco biodiesel blend is set to take effect, according to the Department of Energy (DoE).

Starting Oct. 1, all diesel fuel sold in the country should contain a biodiesel blend of 3%, from 2% previously.  The blend will further increase to 4% by Oct. 1, 2025, and to 5% by Oct. 1, 2026.

“This increase in the CME (coco methyl ester) blend is expected to benefit coconut farmers, biodiesel producers, and other stakeholders in the coconut industry with around 900 million additional coconut nuts to produce 100 to 120 million liters of CME requirements to satisfy a 1% mandatory increase in CME blend,” the DoE said.

The Biofuels Act of 2006 mandates that all liquid fuels for motors and engines contain locally sourced biofuel components.

Since February 2009, oil companies have been required to implement a 2% biodiesel blend by volume in all diesel fuel sold and distributed in the country.

The agency said that consumers are expected to benefit from the improvement in mileage from the average of 10 kilometers per liter of diesel to less than 11 kilometers. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera