BP to Fund Indian Biofuel Production Study by the Energy and Resources Institute

BP is to fund a $9.4 million project by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh to demonstrate the feasibility of producing biodiesel from Jatropha Curcas, a non-edible oil bearing crop.

The project, which is expected to take 10 years, will cultivate around 8,000 hectares of land currently designated as wasteland with Jatropha and install all the equipment necessary seed crushing, oil extraction and processing - to produce 9 million litres of biodiesel per annum. A full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of all elements of the supply chain and life cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions will be completed as part of the project.

"In some parts of the world there is only limited availability of land to produce food crops and therefore no surplus which can be used for energy crops. Because Jatropha is drought resistant and can grow on marginal land, it offers the possibility of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable contribution to energy security challenges in India," explains Phil New, senior vice president of BP's fuels management group. "We are particularly pleased to be working in partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute, whose authority and expertise we hold in the highest regard, and with whom we look forward to forming a highly complementary relationship."

TERI will be responsible for the day to day management and execution of the project.

"Recent developments have made green fuels economically attractive in view of the resource potential of this option and the environmental benefits associated with it, along with employment generation and empowerment of the rural population," said TERI Director General, Dr RK Pachauri. "We at TERI are very pleased to join forces with BP and are confident that integrating the strengths of the two organizations will provide a significant breakthrough for the country in this field, which is full of promise."

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Posted 08/02/06

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