Bolivian government announces nation’s entrée into renewable diesel production

The government of Bolivia announced March 3 the construction of a renewable diesel plant in Santa Cruz with an investment of USD$250 million.

The plant will be located at the Guillermo Elder Bell refinery in Santa Cruz and will produce about 9,000 barrels per day (138 MMgy) from 450,000 tons of vegetable oils, animal fats and used cooking oil per year.

President Luis Arce Catacora, the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, said, “We are taking a giant step in energy sovereignty in the country.” Catacora added that this would be the first such large-scale renewable diesel plant in Bolivia.

The government further said commissioning of this plant will boost the national economy with the collection of used cooking oil, which will generate job opportunities for entrepreneurs and new small and micro businesses.

Companies in France, Denmark and the U.S. were consulted on the project.