Sudanese lawmakers enlighted on the use of ethanol for energy

January 29, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese legislators were briefed today on the use of ethanol as alternative energy source in preparation for a bill to be adopted before August.

During a visit to the headquarters of the sugar production firm, Kenana company, in Khartoum federal parliament committees on industry, investment, foreign trade, agricultural and economic affairs, information took part in the briefing.

The company’s officials told the lawmakers that the project of ethanol is a joint effort between the ministry of Energy, Kenana Company and Giad Company.

Sudan is expected to use ethanol as a renewable source of energy starting from next August which requires speedy enactment of legislation by the Sudanese parliament.

Ethanol can be used as a fuel, mainly as a biofuel alternative to gasoline, and is widely used in cars in Brazil. Because it is easy to manufacture and process, and can be made from very common materials, such as sugar cane, it is steadily becoming a promising alternative to gasoline throughout much of the world.

The ethanol can be blended with gasoline in varying quantities up to pure ethanol (E100), and most spark-ignited gasoline style engines will operate well with mixtures of 10% ethanol (E10).

(ST)