摘要
Biofuels could contribute, on a worldwide basis, to the attainment of international energy-policy objectives in three ways： by reducing dependence on imported oil; by increasing the availability of renewable energy sources; and by addressing environmental issues. It is an absolute necessity in South Africa to utilise sustainable and renewable energy sources, such as biofuels, but the production of bio-ethanol will ultimately place pressure on the limited and fragile agricultural resources of the country. Because of the proposed bio-ethanol plant at Bothaville this paper will firstly develop a methodology suitable for South African conditions in order to establish whether agricultural crops could be used for the production of biofuels. Secondly, it probes the suitability of maize as a biofuel crop in this country by investigating four possible bio-ethanol potential scenarios which are qualitatively formulated to provide a comprehensive overview of this study. Only in the best-case scenario could maize produce the required volumes as set out by the South African government for 2013.
