LatAmOil: Costa Rica’s Recope still planning to blend ethanol with gasoline

Recope, Costa Rica’s only oil refinery, has reiterated its commitment to promoting the blending of ethanol into gasoline as a way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This renewed emphasis on ethanol blending signifies Recope’s determination to overcome past challenges and misconceptions.

Juan Manuel Quesada Espinoza, the president of Recope, stressed the need to dispel myths surrounding ethanol. “It’s time to demystify ethanol,” Quesada said.

Costa Rica’s Vice Minister of Energy Ronny Rodriguez Chaves underscored the centrality of decarbonisation in efforts to reduce harmful emissions, saying: “[This] approach offers the most direct way to cut greenhouse gas emissions.”

Quesada recounted Recope’s pioneering role in advocating biofuels as part of the nation’s commitment to reducing emissions. “Our goal for 2023 is to initiate ethanol blending with gasoline,” he said. “Additionally, Recope is actively formulating policies to facilitate biodiesel blending.”