Ethiopian Review

Scientists in Uganda have started an ambitious research programme that should see the country produce biofuels commercially in the near future.

The research, which is going on at the National Crop Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), is using a wide range of raw materials from non food plants.

Also used are elephant grass, cassava, banana and cellulosic material like wood to produce ethanol.

Although the research is still in the initial stages, scientists are optimistic of positive results early next year.

When production of ethanol takes off, the country will also save on costly importation of ethanol for clinical use.

The scientists say they will ensure that use of any of the raw materials poses no threat to food security.

“We should not compete with food resources. That is why we are going for non traditional food crops,” said Dr Yona Baguma, a molecular biologist and lead researcher.

Dr Ephraim Nuwamanya, a plant biochemist, says cellulosic ethanol — which is a new discovery — is difficult and expensive to break down into simple sugars required for ethanol production, but is eventually cheaper.

Also, it takes a shorter period to produce than do fossil fuels.

The initial investment for biofuels is much less than for fossil fuels and the time taken for pioneering is also shorter, he said.

Worldwide, biofuels are seen as an alternative to fossil fuel, whose price keeps surging, leading to an adverse environmental impact as well as an energy crisis in some countries, including Uganda.

Fossil fuels account for 95 per cent of the energy used globally and 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emission, which leads to warmer temperatures.

Fossil fuel sources are also not renewable.

Coupled with their implications for climate change, scientists are now focusing their efforts on renewable energy sources that emit less carbon into the environment.

The Ugandan research aims at producing biofuels that can be blended with fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The amount of fossil oil used would be smaller and hence the reserves would be protected from depletion when the country starts producing oil from its numerous wells.

This is in line with the government’s energy policy on increased research and the use of modern renewable energy sources, which is expected to increase from the current four per cent to 61 per cent of the total energy consumption by 2017.

In the policy, the government proposes to make legislation that will oblige fossil fuel companies to blend petroleum with up to 20 per cent biofuels for use mainly in the transport and power generation sectors.

In countries like USA and Sweden, excess food crops like maize and soya bean, which are produced basically as animal feed, are now being converted into biofuel.

- By HALIMA ABDALLAH | The East African