The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, said that the proposal will be discussed in a working group.| Photo: Roque de Sá/Agência Senado.

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, announced this Friday (28) a proposal to increase the ethanol content in gasoline from 27.5% to 30%. Silveira stated that a working group should be created to debate the issue within the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE). He presented the initiative during the 6th edition of the Opening of the Mineira Sugarcane Harvest, in Uberaba, Minas Gerais.

“This increase should happen gradually, with predictability and transparency. We are going to carry out this technical assessment together with the automotive industry and the ethanol production sector to provide consumers with security”, said the minister. The CNPE, which will discuss the idea, brings together 16 ministries to establish the government’s energy policy.

Silveira also spoke about creating a milestone for the biofuel sector. According to the ministry, this project should soon be sent to the National Congress. “Within the Program, Brazil will value sustainable low-carbon mobility with the use of ethanol and also encourage the automobile industry to produce hybrid flex-fuel vehicles. Another landmark will be the incentive for the production of aviation biokerosene, whose main raw material is waste from the alcohol industry, ”he said.