The Plenary of the National Assembly approved in third debate the project of Law 647, which integrates the use of bioethanol in gas stations, in order to lower fuel costs from 2024.
The initiative modifies Law 42 of 2011, which establishes guidelines for the national policy on biofuels and electricity from biomass in the national territory.
With this new regulation, the use of anhydrous bioethanol as an oxygenating additive in mixture with gasoline is authorized throughout the country in a mandatory manner at different times, in accordance with the provisions of this Law and the corresponding regulations.
Also, it is established that the mixture with 5% will take effect from April 1, 2024 and must be implemented in the province of Panama, north of Río Chagres, December 24 and up to the banks of the canal.
Meanwhile, as of September 1, 2024, mixtures with 5% are expected and their use will be mandatory throughout the national territory, progressive with an increase to 7% from April 1, 2025, while from April 1 of 2026 should be 10%.
The National Secretariat of Energy will be in charge of issuing the necessary permits for the mixture, commercialization, transport and storage of biofuels, the legislation details.
