Understanding the failures in developing domestic ethanol markets: Unpacking the ethanol paradox in Guatemala

Autor(es)

Cutz, L. ^[1] ; Tomei, J. ^[2] ; Nogueira, L. A. H. ^[3]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Delft Univ Technol, Proc & Energy Dept, Leeghwaterstr 39, Delft - Netherlands

^[2] UCL, UCL Inst Sustainable Resources, 14 Upper Woburn Pl, London WC1H ONN - England

^[3] UNIFEI MG, Ctr Excellence Energy Efficiency EXCEN, Av BPS 1302, BR-37500903 Itajuba, MG - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ENERGY POLICY; v. 145, OCT 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Fostered by environmental and economic drivers, liquid biofuels are expanding in the global energy matrix. However, many countries with biofuel potential, such as Guatemala, have yet to develop domestic biofuels markets. During the last decade, ethanol production in Guatemala has increased significantly, yet a domestic market does not appear to be in the horizon. It is a kind of paradox: a world class sugarcane producer and ethanol exporter does not use any blend of ethanol and gasoline in vehicles. This paper presents a techno-economic analysis and review of barriers that have delayed ethanol-gasoline blends in Guatemala. The cost assessment considers data from an existing distillery in Guatemala. Results show that Guatemala could produce annually a maximum of 250 million liters of ethanol from molasses, more than the amount required to introduce E10. For the current conditions, results from the modelling indicate that the cost of ethanol has minimal impact on the price of E10, but taxes could represent one third of the cost of E10 at the retail level. Since supply conditions are favourable and technical barriers are not relevant, strong government intervention and a coherent price structure for ethanol-gasoline blends is needed to create an ethanol market in Guatemala. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/00282-3 - Contribuição de produção de bioenergia pela América Latina, Caribe e África ao projeto GSB-LACAF-Cana-I
• Beneficiário: Luis Augusto Barbosa Cortez
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOEN - Temático