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EKANBARU: The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry will fund the construction of two bio-ethanol plants to process palm tree sap in Siak Kecil and Bantan districts of Bengkalis regency.

“We have received Rp 6 billion [US$706,000] and expect the construction of the two plants to be realized and completed by the end of the year,” Bengkalis Regent Herliyan Saleh said on Monday.

According to Herliyan, Bengkalis has overflowing resources, especially palm trees, which grow naturally along Siput River in Siak Kecil and Bukit Batu.

“So far, the potential has not been fully tapped, but we will manage and turn them into commodities with a high economic value,” he said.

“With the presence of the bio-ethanol plants, the palm trees will have a significant impact on the community-based economy,” he added.

Bengkalis Research and Development Agency head Syofian Hadi said bio-ethanol produced by researchers in Bengkalis had successfully been tested as a replacement for liquefied petroleum gas for gas stoves.