Marcelo Blanco, Bolivia’s Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, on Thursday said the country would increase the proportion of ethanol in petrol from 12 to 18 per cent.
Blanco said this would take effect from Nov.1, adding that it would stand at 15 per cent, and increase to 18 per cent by April 2027.
To this end, the government has reached an agreement with local sugarcane producers on ethanol supplies, according to Visión 360, a partner of TV BRICS.
Ethanol is an alcohol that can be produced from sugarcane. It is added to petrol to partially replace petroleum-based fuel.
Adding ethanol increases petrol's octane rating and improves its performance.
“Every litre of ethanol produced in the country means we can avoid importing one litre of petrol,” noted Klaus Frerking, president of Bolivia's Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO).
The agreement will help support local farmers and develop ethanol production in the country.
As a result, Bolivia will be able to reduce petrol imports and channel additional funds into developing domestic production, the minister said.
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