30/3/06 BANGKOK (TNA) – The Energy Ministry insists it see no need to import raw palm oil for bio-diesel production since local supply remains sufficient.

Caretaker Energy Minister Viset Choopiban revealed on Wednesday that the ministry is going ahead with a plan to encourage local bio-diesel consumption so that farmers could earn alternative incomes from growing oil plants.

Under the plan approved by the cabinet in its roving meeting in the northeastern province of Burirum recently, bio-diesel with a 5 per cent mixture of palm oil (B5) will be made available countrywide by 2011 and that with a 10 per cent mixture (B10) by 2012.

In other words, around 8.5 million liters of bio-diesel will be consumed daily.

To enhance the production of B5 and B10 bio-diesel to meet the target, he said, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry plans to increase plantation areas of palm trees and other oil plants to accommodate local demand of raw materials for bio-diesel production.

Given the demand and supply of palm oil for the bio-diesel production, Mr. Viset said he saw no need to import the raw palm oil yet and, instead, wanted to promote the maximum utilization of local raw materials.

“Throughout this year, the ministry will focus on developing substitute and alternative energy in compliance with His Majesty the King’s advice, particularly on the bio-diesel production, to give people an alternative energy consumption and maintain the stability of the country’s energy affair. It will give a priority to building up the price stability and enhancing service quality,” he said. (TNA) – E005