The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has developed and approved the technical specifications for blending fuels in Zambia.
ERB Public Relations Manager Namukolo Kasumpa, however, says the process of blending has not commenced due to some logistical aspects required to facilitate for blending of fuels, besides the development of technical specifications.
Mrs Kasumpa says that once rolled out, the blended fuel would be available to consumers and the general public just like any other petroleum products currently sold by entities licensed by the ERB.
She says studies have been undertaken in the past, which included benchmarking with countries that have already implemented biofuel blending.
Mrs Kasumpa states that the ERB together with the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), working with other key stakeholders constituted a Technical Working Committee which has representation from INDENI, TAZAMA, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), the Biofuels Association of Zambia (BAZ) and Original Equipment Suppliers and Manufacturers among others.
She says this culminated in the development of Zambian Standards for blending diesel with bio-diesel and bio-ethanol with petrol.
Mrs Kasumpa has told Q-news that the two technical standards provide the specification for blended fuels to be compatible with the vehicle engines on the Zambia market.
