22/03/2011 (Bangkok Post) - The Energy Ministry will extend the sale of B2 biodiesel indefinitely from April 1, and not return to a B3 mix at this time.

Sirisak Withaya-udom, deputy director-general of the Energy Business Department, said this would help ensure  adequate supplies of palm cooking oil for households.

Pam oil is used extensively in the production of biodiesel.

The Energy Ministry had planned to end the decrease in the palm oil  content of biodiesel from 3% to 2%, a reaction to the recent shortage of cooking oil,  by the end of this month, and revert to the previous level.

However, the B2 ratio would be extended indefinitely from April 1 until palm oil supplies return to a normal level, he said.

Mr Sirisak said domestic palm oil supplies had nearly returned to the normal level.

He estimated local crude palm oil supplies at 100,000 tonne per month at this time, while the needs for  B3 diesel stood at 120,000 tonnes a month.

The Energy Ministry has asked oil producers to extend the sale of B2 diesel to allow palm oil supplies to meet consumers' demands for now to prevent any recurrence of the recent shortage, he said.