Biopetrol delays 400,000 tonne biodiesel plant in the Netherlands, citing construction issues

In the Netherlands, Biopetrol announced the delay of its 400,000 tonne biodiesel plant in Rotterdam, citing construction delays owing to late deliveries and permitting slowdowns.

Dutch use of renewable energy to generate electricity fell to 6 percent in 2007, from 6.5 percent in 2006, as power plants halved their use of biofuels following cuts in government support. Utilities also cited concerns about potential environmental effects of using palm oil or sugar-based biofuels, as well as the effect on food prices of their biofuels program. The Dutch government set a target of 9 percent of electric consumption to come from renewable resources by 2020, but are increasingly focusing on wind turbines.

Recently, eight biodiesel producers have banded together to form the Netherlands Biodiesel Industry Association (VNBI), and have set a goal of producing 410 Mgy of biodiesel by 2009. The VNBI will lobby government and build alliances with other industries and environmental groups.

The crown prince of the Netherlands has been an active global campaigner against biofuels, recently claiming at a global water supply conference that the amount of biofuel in an SUV tank uses as much water as it takes to produce enough grain to support one person for a year.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

109 Mgy Biopetrol biodiesel plant to open in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, Biopetrol Industries said that it is launching its 109 Mgy biodiesel plant in Rotterdam and said that it expects to reach 50 percent of planned capacity by the end of 2009. The pla...

Today in Biofuels: Euro Parliament wavering on E10 target; General Motors hybrid chief calls global warming “a crock of s—”; list of 118 US ethanol projects

Top Story:In Europe, the rapporteur in the European Parliament for the European Union’s Fuel Quality Directive said that the EU goal of 10% of all transport fuels coming from biofuels is in tro...

Switzerland’s Biopetrol announces $12.6 million loss, restructuring

In Switzerland, Biopetrol said it would prepare for financial restructuring after announcing a $12.6 million loss for 2008 on sales of $378 million.  The company said that since January it has experi...

American Renewable Fuels delays 75 Mgy tallow biodiesel project in New Mexico, citing financing and feedstock concerns

In New Mexico, American Renewable Fuels said that it will delay its proposed 75 Mgy tallow biodiesel plant, citing conditions in financial markets and feedstock prices. The company says that it expect...

Crude palm oil price forecast dropped to $278 per tonne in 2009, down more than 70 percent from 2008 high, on biodiesel demand drop

In Malaysia, CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets reduced its price forecast for crude palm oil to $278 dollars per tonne in 2009, down from more than $1000 in early 2008, due to falling world demand, oversupply...

German biodiesel companies at 20 percent of capacity; raise call for punitive tariff on Argentine biodiesel

In Germany, Biopetrol reports that European biodiesel producers have raised complaints against what they describe as subsidized Argentine biodiesel after imports from Argentina have flooded the Europe...