The Nepal government is making preparations to implement a policy to mix ethanol fuel into petrol.
Even though the Nepal government on December 15, 2003 adopted this policy by publishing it in a national gazette, it has recently begun implementing this plan, which was initially scheduled to start on January 15, 2004.
Neighboring country India has a plan to mix up to 30 percent of ethanol into petrol by 2030. Currently, it has been mixing up to 15 percent.
Pratibha Maharjan, head of the Central Laboratory at Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), stated that ethanol is considered a clean energy source.
According to Manandhar up to 10 percent ethanol can be mixed into petrol based on its availability in Nepal.
Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies stated that approximately 200,000 liters of ethanol are needed daily to mix 10% ethanol into petrol.
The minister said that the government will finalize the regulations and set the price for the ethanol blend within the next month.
