Renewable Energy Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is to get on stream the first bio-fuels plant by 2017, the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Engr Andrew Yakubu, has said.
The GMD disclosed this yesterday at the NNPC Special Day at the ongoing 35th Kaduna International Trade Fair, adding that necessary efforts were in top gear to meet the deadline.
Yakubu, who was represented by the Acting Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Mr. Alfred Enjugu, said the Corporation was committed to working with the National Assembly to enact appropriate legislation that would encourage the use of bio-fuels as a source of energy.
He assured that the NNPC has also made adequate arrangements to sensitize Nigerians on the advantages of using of the product as an energy source before take-off of the project.
He said “as far back as 2007, a bio-fuel and inventive policy document had been initiated.
He said: “The policy provides a framework with incentives for would be bio-fuels investors in Nigeria. Also the Renewable Energy Division of the NNPC has completed seven site specific feasibility studies that include two oil palms to bio-diesel projects in Ikom and Calaro, Cross River state, two sugar cane farms to fuel ethanol projects in Agasha, Guma and Buruku in Benue state, one sugarcane farm to fuel ethanol project in Kupto Maleri, Gombe state, one cassava to fuel ethanol project in Okeluse in Ondo state and one cassava farm to fuel ethanol project in Ebenebe in Anambra state.”
He stressed that the services of large-scale mechanised farmers were also needed to advance the commitment on the development of renewable energy.
