The Vice Minister of Energy and Mines, Erwin Barrios, explained that the regulations of the Fuel Alcohol Law were reformed, which establishes that the mixture of 10% ethanol in gasoline, known as E10 gasoline, will be available to the public as of August 21.
He explained that it was initially scheduled for June 30, but argued that the reform was made with the objective of making the technical standard for the implementation of ethanol in gasoline more flexible.
The reform must be published in the Diario de Centro América. Barrios mentioned that it is article 21.
According to the regulation, this refers to the percentage of mixing and security of supply and states that the MEM will establish the percentage of mixing for the following year, considering technical and economic aspects for its evaluation, through the procedure previously carried out by the Competent Directorate.
The official commented that it is not a postponement, because the program is still running, but that flexibility was established to make it operational, since that phase was very rigid in the regulations.
With this modification, the National Fuel Alcohol Program begins the technical and operational operationalization and implementation phase, established in the law and regulations in question, a phase scheduled for the period from June 30 to August 21.
The objective is to implement the technical verification, calibration, quality control, traceability and supply processes, aligned with international standards applicable to fuel mixing programs, the official explained this Thursday, June 4.
“This stage is an important step to guarantee that the incorporation of fuel alcohol is carried out with the highest levels of reliability, continuity of supply, operational security and consumer protection,” he added.
International experience shows that projects of this magnitude require technical start-up processes to ensure that the storage, mixing, distribution and control systems operate in a coordinated and efficient manner from the beginning of operations, Barrios explained.
“The Ministry of Energy and Mines reaffirms its commitment to guarantee quality fuels, certainty in supply and a process that benefits Guatemalan families, the productive sector and the development of the country,” said that ministry in a statement.