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Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
Any private company that is willing to partner Government in the production of ethanol will have the privilege of enjoying mandatory blending, Energy and Power Development Minister Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire has said.Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Cde Mavhaire dismissed reports in some quarters that Green Fuel was monopolising ethanol production.
He said Green Fuel – which is producing ethanol in Chisumbanje – was in a joint venture with Government through the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority.
Cde Mavhaire said presently no other company had expressed interest in partnering Government to produce ethanol.
“Government policy simply says those who are in joint venture with Government and anybody who produces ethanol and he wants to be in a joint venture with Government has a privilege to enjoy the mandatory blending status.
“Only Green Fuel is in joint venture with Government. Give us anybody who has made a joint venture with Government and has failed to enjoy the privilege of mandatory blending.”
Cde Mavhaire rubbished claims that some vehicles were not compatible with blended fuel beyond 10 percent ethanol levels. Minister Mavhaire said blended fuel of up to E25 levels was used in 1980s and no compatibility issues were raised.
He said fuel blending was one of the key drivers aimed at liberating the country from the effects of Western illegal sanctions. As such, Cde Mavhaire said, Government was now saving US$9 million in fuel imports monthly.
He said heavy rains that pounded the country recently affected the harvesting of cane for ethanol production in Chisumbanje, prompting Government to relax the blending of petrol with ethanol from 15 percent to 10 percent.
As an interim measure, Cde Mavhaire said Government had licensed Triangle Limited for the next three months to augment supplies from Green Fuel.
“We have taken measures to ensure that the nation continues to access blended fuel on the market through the licensing of Triangle Limited to augment ethanol supplies for a period of three months,” he said.
“There has been a relaxation of the blending levels from E15 to E10 until adequate stocks of ethanol has been built.”
Online Reporter