Assessment of Biofuel Resource Potential, Prospects, Challenges and Utilization in Ethiopia: Sourcing Strategies for Renewable Energies- A Review

Abstract

Lately there has been renewed interest in biomass based renewable energies. This is due to energy security concern, growing environmental benign and spiraling price of fossil fuel. In Ethiopia quality of life and energy consumption is tidily conjoined. This is mainly attributed to fast economic growth, expansion of industry and change of lifestyle of its population. This review paper assesses biofuel resource potential, prospects, challenges of Ethiopia and also investigated strategies for its transport utilization, with particular emphasis on sourcing options for cleaner energies from biodiesel. Possessing huge biomass potential and all types of topographies and climatic conditions that can accommodate the growth of various potential biofuel feed stocks; biofuels are believed to be best renewable alternatives to replace transport fuels. Attracted from its potential, the country has started production and utilization of biofuels, mainly biodiesel and ethanol since 2007. Although the biodiesel production is marred by many challenges. Generally, the economic and environmental benefits of biofuel development have been advocated in many literatures; however, the Ethiopian biofuel development policy and action plan lacks systematic study of strategies for efficient use of biofuel resource beyond the saving of hard currency by replacing petroleum-based fuels with biofuels, pastoral agricultural development and lessen the exhaust emissions. In this study it is shown that, updating the policy consolidating genuine biofuel development strategies depending on different evaluation adjustments, encouraging global expertise, involvement in specialized technical coordination, using up-to-date technologies and the introduction of advanced biofuel production may help in resolving the ongoing energy problems in the country.