SECOND-generation biofuels based on sugar cane present a sustainable solution to the world’s energy needs, a leading expert claimed last weekend.

Speaking at the Green Power Forum at the Radisson St Helens Hotel in Dublin, Anders Fredriksson of leading Swedish biofuel company Sekab warned delegates that dwindling oil reserves would allow for only one litre of fuel per week per adult by 2050. The forum was hosted by the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association and sponsored by Continental Tyres.

According to Fredriksson, only 200,000 hectares of land would be needed to fuel Sweden’s car population with cellulosic biofuel, when considered in tandem with electric hybrid vehicles. On a world scale, this would translate into 60 million hectares, of which Brazil could supply half without the need to impact on the rainforests. Africa presented a viable source for the remainder, he claimed.

This “holy grail” of biofuels, which involves the use of low- carbon soils, and utilisation of biomass and ethanol-powered harvesting techniques, would be viable within six years, he said.

The challenge in tackling the twin issues of dwindling oil reserves and rising emissions simultaneously — against the backdrop of rising populations — could not be overestimated, he said.

“It’s overwhelming, and requires a paradigm shift. The poorest stand to suffer most in the shake-up,” Fredriksson warned.

Sekab is the largest provider of biofuels in northern Europe and a worldwide technology leader in developing the next generation of cellulose-based ethanol. The company has the world’s first biofuel to be officially verified as sustainable on the basis of CO2 impact and social impact.

Thirty per cent of car sales in Sweden are of FlexiFuel Vehicles (FFV), and they account for the top four selling models on the market. Ninety per cent of FFV drivers fill up primarily with bioethanol.

“If this can happen in Sweden, it can happen anywhere,” he claimed, citing the progress made in Ireland where several thousand FFVs have been sold. He also claimed that the recent rise in diesel sales would peak, as EU directives would work against the fuel.

A panel discussion featured contributions from Colin Roche, policy and advocacy coordinator, Oxfam; Norbert Krüger of Ford of Europe; Noel McMullan from the Maxol Group; and Bernard Rice, biofuels researcher, Teagasc.

Rice maintained current production of biofuels in Ireland was a “no-brainer” as it involved no land-use, and was “good on CO2″, being by-products of other production. He sees biofuels as an important outlet for maintaining cereal production here, and emphasised the need to develop a biomass resource sooner rather than later.

“Biofuel is a topic that engenders emotive and sometimes ill-informed comment,” said Tony Toner, chairman of the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association.

“This is a most pressing issue facing the motoring sector, and no doubt is a topic that will remain high on the agenda for motorists, the motor industry and motoring media for the next decade.”

Paddy Murphy, of sponsors Continental Tyres, commented, “All sectors of the motor industry share the goal of reducing CO2 emissions. In the tyre sector this is translating into low rolling resistance tyres, for example. But it’s the consumerwho can contribute most to this goal, by keeping his or her tyres correctly inflated. As well as extending the life of the tyre, it also ensures they are safe.”