By our correspondent
KARACHI: Pakistan State Oil (PSO) on Wednesday extended the alternate fuel ‘E10 Gasoline’ pilot project to Lahore, a press release said.
The project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at Islamabad on August 16, 2006. Later, Jalees Ahmed Siddiqi, Managing Director and CEO PSO, launched the project at Karachi on August 29, 2006.
The Lahore pilot project, like in Karachi and Islamabad, will be conducted for six months, with 25 pre-identified vehicles using ethanol-blended gasoline.
The monitoring of these vehicles will be carried out by the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP).
The new fuel ñ ten per cent ethanol blended with motor gasoline ñ is being introduced experimentally as part of the government’s strategy to promote alternate energy resources.
At its launching in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had described the pilot project as a landmark for energy security of the country, cleaner environment and welfare of people.
He added with the introduction of E-10 gasoline, Pakistan had joined those few nations which sold blended fuel.
Ethanol, a byproduct of molasses through distillation, would not only be comparatively cheaper but would also enhance performance of the engine through lead removal.
It would also benefit the farmers, who would feel attracted to grow more sugarcane and get adequate compensation.
The project was approved by the prime minister on July 27 this year and he had asked the PSO to launch it with technical collaboration of the HDIP.