Tesco ethanol receives certification from OFGEM

In the UK, supermarket giant Tesco's organic waste-derived ethanol has been certified by OFGEM, the government's energy official.

The ethanol, which has been under development for 2 years, has seen Tesco granted a Renewable Obligation Certificate, confirming the fuel contains no traces of additional fossil fuels and is 100% renewable.

The fuel is currently being used to fuel specially adapted combined heat and power (CHP) generators at two stores at Dumfries and Cheetham Hill.

The certification comes as Tesco aims to slash its CO2 emissions by 50% by 2020. 'To receive such exclusive recognition by the government is a huge boost for our renewable energy programme,' says Bukky Bird, head of environment in Tesco's property services team. 'Throughout the process Tesco has fostered an important relationship with the supply chain and will look to roll out the fuel to more stores in the near future as we cement ourselves becoming a zero carbon retailer by 2050.'