Biofuels

Nigeria’s NNPC signs MoU to build biofuel plant

November 02, 2017 | Biofuels, Budget & Investment, Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria | – Nigeria plans to build a 65 billion litres/year biofuel plant to boost supply of clean fuels in the country, state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said Wednesday. NNPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southwest Ondo state government to build the project, which will use cassava as a feedstock. NNPC group managing director Maikanti Baru said the ethanol produced from the plant will be blended with gasoline produced locally or imported by the NNPC to lower the sulphur content in the fuel. …

Africa’s first grid-connected biogas plant powers up

January 10, 2017 | Biofuels, Kenya, Renewable Energy

Naivasha, Kenya | –  A commercial farm in Kenya has become Africa’s first electricity producer powered by biogas to sell surplus electricity to the national grid, cutting the carbon emissions associated with oil-powered generation. The Gorge Farm Energy Park in Naivasha produces 2 megawatts (MW) of electricity – more than enough to cultivate its 706 hectares (1,740 acres) of vegetables and flowers, and with sufficient surplus to meet the power needs of 5,000-6,000 rural homes. The new plant generates not only electricity, but also heat …

BP ups stake in Brazilian biofuel firm to 100% for $71 million

September 14, 2011 | Biofuels

BP Plc announced Wednesday that it has agreed to increase its share in Brazilian biofuel company Tropical BioEnergia S.A. to 100%, by acquiring the remaining 50% of the company from its current joint venture partners for a total cash consideration of approximately $71 million. BP will also refinance Tropical’s existing debt and BP’s current joint venture partners in Tropical BioEnergia S.A. are Maeda S.A. Agroindustrial (25%) and LDC-SEV Bioenergia S.A. (25%). After the deal is completed, subject to regulatory approval and agreed closing conditions, BP …

UK approves two new biomass plants to power 1 million homes

August 10, 2011 | Biofuels

Britain on Wednesday approved two new 299 megawatt (MW) biomass plants proposed by power producer Drax, but the generator said its investment decision depended on whether soon-to-be-announced state biomass subsidies are high enough. “I am very pleased to give the go-ahead for these two new biomass power stations in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. They will not only enhance our security of supply, but provide low-carbon electricity that reduces our carbon dioxide emissions,” Energy Minister Charles Hendry said in a statement. “These two new biomass power …

KLM to launch commercial flights on biofuel

June 22, 2011 | Biofuels, North Sea & Western Europe

Dutch airline KLM plans to use recycled cooking oil as biofuel to power flights to and from France in a move aimed at cutting carbon emissions. Starting in September, KLM will begin more than 200 flights between Paris and Amsterdam using biofuel made from used cooking oil, the company said Wednesday. KLM managing director Camiel Eurlings said in a statement the airline does not have to make any changes to its aircraft engines to use the new biofuel. The biofuel flights are intended to help …

BP buys majority stake in Brazilian ethanol producer

March 11, 2011 | Biofuels

BP Plc said today that it had agreed to take control of Brazilian ethanol and sugar producer CNAA for $680 million, as demand rises for alternative energy. BP said it would acquire 83% of the shares of CNAA and refinance all of the company’s long-term debt. It added that the deal would eventually increase BP’s Brazilian ethanol production to about 1.4 billion litres a year. “Low carbon energy will play an increasingly significant role in meeting world energy demand,” BP chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg said announcing the …