The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) released its 2010 production forecast for ethanol and the future continues to look positive for growth in the industry.
Total fuel ethanol production for 2009 was 73.9 billion litres according to data assembled by F.O. Licht. The GRFA predicts global production will reach 85.9 billion litres in 2010 – growing by 16.2 per cent from 2009 production. This year ethanol production will displace the need for 370 million equivalent barrels of oil globally.
The United States is still the world leader in ethanol manufacturing with more than 45 billion litres of ethanol production projected for this year. At the other end of the spectrum, many developing countries including Nigeria and Malawi are turning to ethanol to boost their economies and secure their future energy needs.
In 2009, the International Energy Agency called the build-out of global biofuels production a necessary component of meeting our future global energy needs. “In a world of diminishing crude oil supplies and increasing energy demand, this increased renewable fuel production will have a profound effect on the world’s energy security
– reducing the global dependence on crude oil and fuel imports,” said GRFA spokesperson Bliss Baker. Biofuels production will reach more than one million barrels per day in 2010; reducing the world’s already dangerous reliance on crude oil.
“Countries around the world are working to secure their future energy needs by expanding the production and use of domestic renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel,” said GRFA spokesperson Bliss Baker. “Renewable fuels production is reducing the need for oil imports in many countries while working to keep crude oil prices down,” added Baker.
GRFA member countries are leading the way in improving current ethanol and biodiesel production processes and developing new technologies to create greenhouse gas-reducing renewable fuels from a broad array of feedstock beyond grains and oil seeds. Commercialization of advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol is imminent as dozens of companies work tirelessly on these next generation technologies that will create a significant growth opportunity for biofuels production in the future. It is also expected that 2010 will see the first commercial cellulose ethanol production in at least three different countries.
The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) is an international federation representing more than 65 per cent of the world’s renewable fuels production from 30 countries. Through the development of new technology and best practices, its members are committed to producing renewable fuels with the smallest possible ecological footprint. The GRFA promotes the expanded use of ethanol and biodiesel throughout the world; advocating for sound public policy and responsible research to help meet the world’s energy, environmental and economic challenges.
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