Filling stations in Malawi may start selling ethanol fuel to motorists whose cars run on petrol and discussions with filling station owners, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority and other plays are underway.
Acting director Gift Kadzakumanja for National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) on Wednesday confirmed during the 2013 National Schools Science Fair at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu District.
“Right now we are discussing with filling station owners, ethanol producing companies, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Energy and other stakeholders. Then after agreeing on costing and other logistics we will be able to say that the fuel is on the market on such a date,” said Kadzakumanja.
She indicated that the filling station owners have already responded enthusiastically to the development.
“By end of the year, we will be able to know the exact dates when the fuel will be in the filling stations. We want motorists in the country to have a chance to use whatever percentage of ethanol in their car, it can even be 100 percent ethanol,” she added.
For motorists to use the ethanol fuel, they need to fit a machine called conversion unit in the cars to enable the cars switch from petrol to ethanol.
“This gadget is very cheap, it costs around $100. So the discussions are also looking at identifying those to supply the gadget. It just takes about five minutes to fit the gadget,” added Kadzakumanja.
She also said they are discussing with ethanol producers to increase production so that when motorists start using the fuel, the supply will have to be stable. The fuel is cheaper than petrol.
“I assure Malawians that the price will be lower than that of petrol,” added Kadzakumanja.
Cabinet already approved the use of ethanol.
