Biodiesel supply can't keep up
Posted by DavidM in Biofuel, Driving, Transport | 18 June 2008
Not surprisingly interest in biodiesel has risen as the oil price has climbed. I've had more enquiries at work, from friends and through Real Life News in the last two weeks than in the last 6 months.
Biodiesel is generally cheaper than normal diesel and with prices rising about 30% at the pump in the last few months, moviing to an alternative, cheaper fuel is becoming more appealling.
Unfortunately, supply seems unable to keep up with demand - certainly on a local level.
I popped into Enfuels last week only to come away empty handed. Their price is up to 105p a litre, which is still about 25p a litre cheaper than diesel. However, they had a big 'sold out' sign and another stating customers were limited to 100 litres each. One of our readers emailled me to say she'd asked Enfuels to reserve her some but they refused, saying they were too busy with production.
I know from talking to them previously their biggest issue wasn't selling the fuel, it was making enough of it. I think they are in the unfortunate position of now having a boom in demand and being unable to make the most of it.
So I rang the other local supplier - Beautifuel in Botley. These are the guys who were about to make their first delivery to me last year when their whole production and storage facility burnt down.
It sounds like they have rebuilt the shed and fitted it out. However the chap there couldn't give me a date when they would be producing again and said to just call back in 2 months. He stated they have a long waiting list of people wanting biodiesel once they are in production.
So I'm left with no alternative but to go back to the diesel pump at my local forecourt. If I hear of any change I'll post it up. If you find another biodiesel supplier (from recycled vegetable oil only please, no palm oil) please add a comment and let everyone know.
I guess this is the downside of the green message getting more widely understood.
Comments
Don't know if you noticed the item on the news the other day, a Biofuel chap now having to purchase his vegetable oil from chippies and other restaurants, whereas previously he was getting it for free!
He mentioned that he could produce 10 times more than he was already, if only he could get enough vegetable oil!
We distribute certified EN14214 std biodiesel to commercial customers throughout the South East and we're based in Andover.
We want to supply to individuals, but have had problems securing premises. The smallest amount we can purchase is 5 x 1,000 ltr IBCs. If anyone can help with secure premises in the Andover / Winchester / Basingstoke / Salisbury areas or would be interested in an IBC so that we can split the order, please contact lou*at*ekobiofuels*dot*co*dot*uk
