Lack of common standards for blending ethanol with petrol is
limiting East Africa's ability to use biofuels in reducing the carbon emissions
from fossil fuels in the transport sector.
The growing demand for petroleum products among the East
Africa Community (EAC) member countries has seen a rise in greenhouse gas
emissions. However, these can be reduced through use of ethanol from sugar
plantations and biodiesel from croton nuts, jatropha curcas plant and other
feedstocks.
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan are
yet to come up with common regional standards of blending ethanol with petrol.
It also applies to the blending of biodiesel with fossil fuel diesel.
"These trends combined with the region's dependence on
fuel imports make it imperative for policy makers to encourage a shift to
alternative transport fuels," said Renewable Energy Policy Network for
21st Century.
Kenya in 2007, introduced a policy on blending ethanol with
petrol and drafted a biodiesel licensing regulations under the Kenya 2008
Roadmap for Biofuels.
The regulations are yet to be approved. Last year, Uganda's
Cabinet approved Biofuels Blending Bill that calls for blending of 20 per cent
biofuels. The Bill that proposes tax rebates and other incentives to potential
investors is yet to go through parliament.
Tanzania also drafted a Liquid Biofuels Policy in 2010 but
it is yet to be approved.
The region imported 8.2 million tonnes of refined oil
products in 2014, an increase of 6 per cent from 2013. EAC's petroleum imports
are estimated to grow by over 8 per cent this year.
Traffic congestion in major cities and towns in the region
makes vehicles key source of heightened urban pollution.
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