Prime Minister for alternative energy sources to reduce fuel bill
Prime Minister for alternative energy sources to reduce fuel bill ISLAMABAD (February 22 2008): Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro on Thursday emphasised the need on utilising alternative sources of energy including possible blending of ethanol with petroleum products. The Prime Minister said this while chairing a high level meeting held here to examine the possibility of using ethanol in petroleum products. He directed all the concerned organisations to focus on developing alternative sources of energy to help reducing the prices of petroleum products as well as saving foreign exchange. Expressing concern over the escalation of oil prices in the international market, the Prime Minister underlined the need to employ all available alternative sources of energy which could help sustenance of economic growth. He directed the Petroleum Ministry to finalise its recommendations and strategy in consultation with all the stakeholders. Secretary Petroleum informed the meeting that feasibility study for blending of ethanol with petroleum products was earlier carried out and a pilot project was launched in August 2006 which was completed in March 2007. He said the project established that the ethanol (E-10) blended fuel is environment friendly and economically viable. The meeting was apprised that ethanol is a by-product of molasses which is presently being exported. The local consumption of the product could help reduce the fuel bill and impact the economy in a positive manner. The meeting was also informed that Brazil is the leading country where ethanol is being used as a major alternative source of energy. The other countries which are switching towards this trend include USA, China, European Countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, Thailand and India. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ehsan-ullah-Khan also attended the meeting. Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2008