In a significant stride toward integrating renewable energy into Nigeria’s transportation and energy sectors, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) recently organized a virtual technical workshop, titled the “Competency Centre E10 Workshop.” This webinar was a crucial part of MEMAN’s ongoing program to educate stakeholders on the potential and challenges of adopting ethanol in the country’s downstream and midstream energy sectors. The initiative aims to position ethanol as a key component in the Nigerian energy mix, promoting cleaner fuels and sustainable agricultural development.
A Framework for Ethanol Integration in Nigeria
The workshop opened with a welcome address by Mr. Huub Stokman, Chairman of MEMAN and Managing Director of NNPC Retail Services. He outlined the goals of the event, emphasizing the need to build a strong technical framework for the integration of ethanol into Nigeria’s energy and transport sectors. According to Stokman, biofuels like ethanol offer a promising pathway toward reducing emissions and lowering production costs, and many countries have already successfully adopted ethanol as part of their fuel supply.
“The key issue,” Stokman noted, “is not whether biofuels are feasible for Nigeria but rather how to implement them effectively and efficiently.” He cited examples from countries around the world that have incorporated ethanol into their fuel supply, noting the potential for Nigeria to learn from these experiences. The local production of ethanol, he added, could not only reduce dependence on foreign fuel sources but also foster agricultural development by utilizing locally sourced raw materials.
The Role of Domestic Refineries
In addition to promoting cleaner fuel, Stokman pointed to ongoing projects in Nigeria that could support ethanol production. One notable project is the Dangote Refinery, which is expected to have the capability to incorporate ethanol into its fuel products, making it a key player in Nigeria’s ethanol journey. Stokman’s comments underscored the importance of domestic infrastructure in supporting the country’s shift towards biofuels.
Regulatory Framework and Safety Measures
During her keynote address, Professor Zainab Gobir, Executive Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), outlined the Authority’s commitment to promoting the safe and efficient adoption of biofuels, including ethanol. NMDPRA, she explained, is working on comprehensive guidelines and regulations to facilitate the integration of ethanol blends into Nigeria’s fuel market. This regulatory framework will focus not only on safety and environmental standards but also on promoting sustainability in the ethanol supply chain.
The Authority has already initiated research and development efforts in partnership with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and a pilot project is underway. According to Gobir, once the pilot is complete, the NMDPRA will release detailed information on the initiative, including technical specifications and guidelines for ethanol fuel use in Nigeria. This project, she noted, is a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders such as MEMAN, the U.S. Grains Council, and NNPC.
Ethanol’s Global Relevance
Highlighting the global relevance of ethanol, Professor Gobir noted that biofuels, including ethanol, are widely used in countries such as the United States, Brazil, and across Europe. Ethanol’s ability to reduce CO2 emissions makes it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change. “One of the key benefits of ethanol is its capacity to reduce vehicle emissions of CO2, contributing to the global effort to meet climate change targets,” Gobir stated. “In fact, widespread adoption of ethanol could reduce transport-related CO2 emissions by up to 750 times per year, making our environment significantly safer.”
She also assured that the transition to ethanol would not compromise vehicle performance. The NMDPRA is working on guidelines to ensure that vehicles in Nigeria are compatible with ethanol fuel blends, minimizing any potential technical issues. Additionally, the Authority is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that the raw materials used for ethanol production are sustainably sourced, avoiding price hikes or security concerns related to agricultural products.
Technical Insight from the U.S. Grains Council
Rowena Torres-Ordonez, a Global Ethanol Technical Consultant and Advisor for the U.S. Grains Council, also contributed to the workshop, providing insights into the global ethanol industry. She explained that ethanol has been a standard component of gasoline in the United States since the 1970s, with government mandates gradually increasing ethanol’s share in fuel blends. In the early 2000s, the U.S. introduced the Renewable Fuel Standard, which set mandatory targets for ethanol use in gasoline. Today, nearly all gasoline in the U.S. contains ethanol, and Brazil has also made significant strides in adopting ethanol-blended fuel.
Torres-Ordonez emphasized the importance of setting and adhering to fuel standards and specifications to ensure the successful blending of ethanol with gasoline. She noted that while ethanol enhances the octane rating of gasoline, making it more resistant to engine knock, blending requires careful control of fuel properties to ensure vehicle performance and compliance with emission standards.
Fuel Standards and Ethanol Blending
Setting technical fuel standards is essential for the successful integration of ethanol, Torres-Ordonez explained. In most countries, these standards are either developed based on international protocols, such as those established by ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials), or customized to meet specific local needs. Nigeria’s fuel standards, she noted, seem to align more with European Union (EN) standards, although some specifications are drawn from both ASTM and EN.
The most commonly accepted global standard for ethanol is the ASTM 4806 specification, which governs the properties of ethanol used for fuel blending. These standards ensure that ethanol can be safely and effectively combined with gasoline, not only for cars but also for other engine types, such as motorcycles, generators, and boats. “The properties of ethanol make it an excellent additive for gasoline,” said Torres-Ordonez, “not just for its environmental benefits but also for its technical advantages, including higher octane levels.”
A Future of Ethanol in Nigeria
As Nigeria continues to develop its regulatory framework and infrastructure for ethanol production, the workshop underscored the potential for biofuels to play a transformative role in the country’s energy and agricultural sectors. With the combined efforts of MEMAN, NMDPRA, and international partners, Nigeria could soon join the ranks of countries that have successfully integrated ethanol into their energy mix, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The technical workshop provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to exchange ideas and lay the groundwork for Nigeria’s ethanol future. As Professor Gobir concluded, “The adoption of ethanol in Nigeria is not just about energy—it’s about health, safety, and a sustainable future.”
Source: MEMAN
