Drusku par bioetanolu no cukurbietēm

"The first bioethanol plant in the UK is run by British Sugar in Wissington, Norfolk and is located alongside the world's largest beet sugar factory. The 70 million litres of bioethanol produced annually are produced from 110,000 tonnes of locally grown sugar beet.

Lord Rooker said:
“Climate change is the biggest challenge facing society today. But it is a challenge we can tackle by using the skills and innovation that are prevalent in the UK – this groundbreaking plant is a good example of this.
“Sustainable biofuels can play an important role in reducing our carbon footprint and I am pleased to see the UK is leading the way in promoting sustainable biofuel production.”
The first bioethanol plant in the UK is run by British Sugar in Wissington, Norfolk and is located alongside the world's largest beet sugar factory. The 70 million litres of bioethanol produced annually are produced from 110,000 tonnes of locally grown sugar beet.
The sugar factory's combined heat and power plant also provides energy for the bioethanol plant ensuring that bioethanol produced delivers 60% lifecycle carbon savings compared with ordinary petrol.
Notes to editors
1. The UK has a legally binding target under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012. The UK's Climate Change Bill proposes a legally binding requirement to reduce UK carbon dioxide emissions by 26-32% by 2020 and 60% by 2050. The UK is on course to achieve the Kyoto target.
2. Sustainable biofuels can make an important contribution to tackling climate change. At a 5% biofuel penetration, the UK would save around 0.7 – 0.8 million tonnes of carbon per annum, or about 0.4% of the UK’s total emissions. Looking forward, advances in technology could see biofuels achieving higher levels of carbon savings. If the EU targets for 2020 are met, carbon savings could approach 7 or 8% of emissions from road transport.
3. At the global level, the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation ( FAO ) have predicted that biofuels may provide 25% of the world’s energy needs over the next 15 to 20 years.
4. The UK has a measured and balanced approach to biofuels and is leading the debate in the EU and internationally on the sustainability issues. Promoting biofuels, ( with appropriate environmental and social safeguards ) as part of a wider package of Government action to tackle climate change is the right way forward.
5. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation ( RTFO ) is due to deliver significant carbon savings by 2010. It includes a sophisticated reporting mechanism on greenhouse gas emissions and environmental and social criteria to encourage transport fuel suppliers to source sustainable, low carbon biofuels. The UK is a world leader in this area.
6. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation ( RTFO ) will be the equivalent of taking close to a million cars off the road, since the average car emits a little less than a tonne of carbon ( 3½ tonnes of CO2 ) per annum.
7. In 2008/9, the total package of support for biofuels under the RTFO will be up to 35 penceper litre ( made up of a duty incentive of 20 pence per litre, and a buy out price of 15 pence per litre for those who do not meet the target ). In 2009/10, the total combination of support will be up to 35 pence per litre. In 2010/11, it will be up to 30 pence per litre.
8. The Energy Crops Scheme 2007-13 will provide support for planting short rotation coppice and miscanthus for heat and power generation. The EU's annual €45/ha Energy Aid payment is available to farmers for energy crops grown on non set-aside land for heat, power and transport biofuels. Farmers can also receive the Single Payment for energy crops on set-aside or where the EU's €45 per hectare energy aid payment is claimed for crops on non set-aside land. Support for Research & Development is looking to double the output of energy crops by developing crops with maximised yield and resistance to fungal diseases and pests.
9. The environmental industries sector is a key growth area. It is already employing more than 400,000 people in 17,000 companies with an annual turnover of more than £20 billion.
10. In the short term and using current technologies, the UK could produce enough biofuels for around 2.5% of our road transport fuel needs without increasing pressures on the environment and also leaving land available for other bioenergy crops uses. In the longer term advances in technology that allow a wider range of feedstocks to be used, so called ‘second generation’ biofuels, should allow much greater biofuels penetration. A study for the Department for Transport estimated that the UK might be theoretically capable of supplying as much as one third of its transport fuel demands by 2050.
11. Analysis by the European Commission indicates that the EU biofuel target of 10% by 2020 is achievable without excessive impacts on food prices. This is partly because there is potential to increase production in response to additional demand. This includes the development of second generation biofuels which can use non-food feedstocks, including waste. The Government will monitor how markets are affected by growing biofuel demand and tailor its policy accordingly."

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