Nhan Dan Online – An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth around US$ 60 million for building a bio-ethanol plant was signed between the Petrolchemical and Bio Fuel Joint Stock Company (PVB) under the National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) and a joint venture of contractors including the Petrovietnam Construction Joint Stock Company (PVC), the Alfa Laval and the Delta T on June 10.

The plant will be built in Tam Nong district, Phu Tho province and it will be the first bio-ethanol plant in the northern region with the advanced technology and modern equipment.

The US$80 million plant is scheduled to be built within 18 months.

Upon completion, the plant will use the sugarcanes and cassavas planted in the local area to produce ethanol with a capacity of 100,000 cubic metres a year. The cheap biofuel will be used to produce petrol, thus contributing to reducing the amount of CO2 emitted from engines and increasing the local farmers’ income and boosting the local economic growth.

The construction of the plant lies within the project on developing Vietnam’s biofuel to 2015 with a vision to 2025, approved by the Prime Minister on November 20, 2007.

Truong Son