TAIPEI, Taiwan - The government will double the percentage of biodiesel in diesel for automobiles this year, according to the Bureau of Energy under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

It is estimated that the consumption of biodiesel in Taiwan will increase to 100 million litres this year, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions, the bureau said in a press release.

Since July 2008, Taiwan has been mixing diesel for automobiles with 1 percent biodiesel, making it the first country in Asia to use biodiesel on such a large scale, the bureau said.

In 2007, the country began several green projects, including a green public bus program, a green township project and a plan aimed at supplying biodiesel throughout the country.

The projects have so far used 55 million litres of biodiesel.

The decline in the use of traditional diesel amounted to 180,000 fewer tons of CO2 emissions, the bureau said.

There are currently 10 certified biodiesel producers in Taiwan, with a combined total output of 105 million liters a year.

The new biodiesel capacity has generated NT$1 billion (S$44 million) in investment in peripheral industrial sectors. The figures show the biodiesel sector has taken shape in Taiwan, the bureau said.