Biofuels will supply 9% of world transport demand by 2030 06 June 2011
Biofuels will supply 9% of world transport demand by 2030, with production of 6 million b/d, representatives from Shell, Total and BP predicted at Sao Paulo's biannual Ethanol Summit Monday. At an opening address titled, "The Future of Petroleum and The Role of Biofuels", representatives from BP, Shell, Total and Petrobras emphasised the importance of ethanol in supplying future world transport needs.
"Our conviction is that biofuels are an essential part of the energy mix" Phil New, President of BP Bio-Combustibles told the summit. "By 2030, biofuels will supply 9% of transport demand."
Company officials noted that oil will continue to play a key role but that the energy mix will be expanded. "Three quarters of growth (in fuel production) will come from countries outside OPEC," Philippe Boisseau, President of gas and energy at Total said. "We believe that oil and gas will not be sufficient." Total own 22% of California sustainable energy company Amyris and Boisseau noted that, "we are committed to grown new cane." He also noted that Total has invested $1.2 billion so far in solar power, with the aim of becoming one of the world's three biggest players. "Twenty percent of our R&D is on clean tech and renewable issues." Boisseau said.
Mark Gainsborough, Vice President of strategic portfolio and alternative energy at Shell, said that biofuels "are going to be a very important part of future power." He referred to Shell's joint venture with Brazilian sugar can producer Cosan. The new business, called Raizen, aims to produce 2.2 billion litres per year of ethanol.