BRUSSELS -- The European Commission announced Wednesday in Brussels that it approved French contributions totaling $25.5 million to fund the development of motor biofuels.
The commission said it supported an effort by French energy giant GDF Suez to develop technology needed for second-generation biofuels.
Second-generation biofuels are expected to produce more energy with less impact on global food crops than their conventional counterparts.
Joaquin Almunia, the Spanish vice president of the European Commission, said the program, dubbed the Gaya project, is consistent with European efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
"The Gaya project will make it possible to test new technologies for the production of biomethane, which in the long term can be used as a green motor fuel," he added.
The objective of the Gaya project is to develop a biomethane industry using a demonstration plant operating over a period of seven years.
GDF Suez and its partners will conduct research and development to test biomass production for motor fuels.
"The Gaya project should generate substantial benefits in terms of dissemination of scientific knowledge and environmental protection, land use planning, and reduction of Europe's energy dependency," a statement from the European Commission read.
The Gaya project isn't expected to yield commercial benefits until at least 2020.
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