Australia: Biofuels Annual
Australian biofuels total production for 2015 is estimated at 330 million liters (ML), comprised of 265 ML of ethanol and 65 ML of biodiesel. Production of ethanol is stable but biodiesel output has been variable. The main measure supporting the industry is an excise on imports of biofuels as local producers receive a rebate of the excise. The 2014 federal budget announced the excise rebate would be eliminated for imported biodiesel in mid-2015 and phased down by mid-2016. Biofuels production is also supported by a six percent NSW government mandate on ethanol. In June 2015, the Queensland government announced it would introduce a two percent biofuels mandate in that State to develop biofuels and bio manufacturing sectors. Second generation biofuels such as renewable biodiesel, energy crops, and algae-based fuels have been successfully demonstrated in Australia but not successfully commercialized.