Greentech Lead America: Cuba’s first biofuel factory has
been opened with a capacity to produce 100 tons of green fuel annually. The
factory will utilize oil-rich jatropha seeds to make the biofuel. The Cuban
government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation have provided
the fund for this factory.
jatropha is toxic for human consumption but ideal for
fuel production.  Since Cuba has banned using food materials to
produce biodiesel, the use of the jatropha seeds instead of edible vegetable
oils for biofuel production is seen as a major breakthrough in global biofuel production.
The plant will receive raw material from a 130 hectares
of jatropha farm located in Guantanamo. Jatropha plants are highly resilient;
they can grow in water-deficient areas well. They can be cultivated in little
or no agricultural value.
The biofuel made by this factory has been used to run
agricultural machinery in the area.
Currently, Cuba imports about 100,000 barrels of oil a
day, nearly half of its petroleum needs, from Venezuela. The country aims to
boost renewable electrical production to a sixth of its demand by 2020. Cuba
also uses sugarcane and biomass to produce electricity.
Global biofuel consumption market will reach $256,568.3 million
in 2016
Recently, Research and Markets forecasted that the
global biofuel consumption market will experience a rapid growth in coming
years and will reach $256,568.3 million in 2016, an increase of 81.4
percent since 2011. The market value was $141,418.9 million in 2011.
editor@greentechlead.com
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