Uganda Hedges Bets on Biofuels

Uganda is pushing to increase research to propel its renewable energy sector, hoping to increase the sector from its current 4% to 61% of its total energy consumption by 2017. And biofuels are positioned to get a nice boost since the government has proposed a law to have fossil fuel companies make a 20% biofuel blend. Some local companies, like the Madhvani and Mukwano Group, are already producing their own biodiesel. It is estimated that if Uganda can make biodiesel production commercially viable, then it can save $230 million on diesel imports.

Biodiesel production also offers the East African country another advantage. The production process produces glycerin which can be used for medicines and cosmetics.

However, it’s the grassroots initiative that’s really picking up the steam for Uganda’s biofuels sector:

Alternative Fuel Helps Ugandan Clay Company

Ugandan Woman Turns to Jatropha

 

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