Dunedin launches biodiesel consortium

Following on from a workshop, Dunedin is to be the first city in New Zealand to launch a community biodiesel initiative that will make biodiesel available to anyone who joins the consortium.

Bringing together 30 people representing fleets of vehicles that use more than eight million litres of diesel annually, the consortium has agreed to provide a refuelling facility that will initially supply B20 (20% biodiesel mixed with mineral diesel).

The Biodiesel Consortium is being facilitated by Otago Polytechnic’s Centre for Sustainable Practice. Project leader Steve Henry said Dunedin people are ready to get behind the project because of issues around fuel security, brand and emission reduction.

“Business people, local government and tourism operators were here today because they are seeing the opportunities. Many have emission reduction goals and others want to be able to brand themselves as clean and green. A carbon tax on fuel comes in from 1 July this year.

“Biodiesel faces lower levies as it has a 90% reduced carbon footprint. And from a sustainable practice perspective it makes sense because New Zealand biodiesel is sourced from used cooking oil that was originally produced from locally grown crops. No food crops are displaced and it prevents the wasteful practise of tossing out cooking oil. It also supports local employment and is a step towards fuel independence.”

The consortium will now call for tenders to supply the biodiesel and will assess the several suitable refuelling site locations that have been offered.

Henry says he expects the price of B20 to be similar to the price of diesel now.

For more information visit the Otago Polytechnic website.