San Andrés will have biofuels for the first time. The island, due to transportation difficulties involved in carrying the two fuels and mixing them, is exempt from mixing by regulation.
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Currently, a mixture of 4% bioethanol in each gallon of gasoline is mandatory in the national territory and in the case of diesel, the mixture is 12% biodiesel.
However, Chevrona fuel distributor on the island, announced that it would make an investment so that for the first time local gasoline consumers have a 4% bioethanol blend since July.
To achieve this, the company had to adapt the infrastructure of the San Andrés terminal, with investments of US$1.3 million.
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According to Alejandro Riveros, the company’s Corporate Affairs manager for Colombia and Central America, this work included tank adaptation works, pumping systems, facilities to include the transport of this special product on the ship, among others.
This since the fuel cannot arrive mixed to the island, but each one must be transported separately and once in San Andrés they are mixed.
At the moment it will only be in gasoline, he explained, since larger amounts of resources will be required in the future. Currently, on the island, gasoline consumption is 360,000 barrels of regular and premium gasoline each month. In July, when the mixture will be delivered for the first time, about 14,000 gallons of ethanol on average per month to cover local demand.
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“It is important to highlight that the fuel that the islanders will receive, with ethanol mixed, will be more friendly to the environment while maintaining the good performance of the vehicles,” said Riveros.
Regarding the impacts on bioethanol emissions, Carolina Rojas, president of Fedebiocombustibles, pointed out that a gallon of these generates 73% less material particulate matter, thereby helping to improve air quality.
Derived from this there are also health benefits, since the occurrence of respiratory diseases is reduced.
Now, to this are added the improvements in vehicle performance, due to the higher octane rating it has on average. Additionally, Rojas pointed out that some efficiencies have been demonstrated in engines that use higher blends of biofuels.
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Riveros called for stability in the energy supply, in this case ethanol, so that the mixture on the island can be constant and not be interrupted.
The fuel mix in the country
Currently, by regulation, the ethanol blend in gasoline is 4%. Nevertheless, Resolution 40447 of 2022 of the Ministry of Agriculture, ordered a gradual increase from December 2023, by which time the mix should increase two percentage points, to reach 6%.
Also since on January 1, 2024, increase another two points until reaching 8% and in February 2024 increase another two points to finally reach 10%. The union said that it is able to respond to this demand.
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DANIELA MORALES SOLER
Journalist Portfolio
