Khosla invests in ethanol
By siliconindia   |   Thursday, 08 February 2007, 18:30 IST
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Vinod Khosla, a co-founder of Sun Microsystem, will spend $225 million to build an ethanol plant in Treutlon Country--the first commercial cellulosic factory in the United States. This spring the groundbreaking for the plant will begin with construction beginning soon after. The plant initial plans are to use pine tree waste to produce about 10 million gallons of ethanol each year. The plant is slated with 70 employees and production of ethanol is expected to begin next year. He recently adressed the benefits of ethanol at a TiE Bangalore Chapter event. Speaking on 'Solar Thermal Power', he indicated the growing interest in alternative energy resources in light of growing aversion to dependency on Middle East oil, various venture capitalists have invested in alternative fuel possibilities. Citing examples of ethanol-galsoline run Volkswagen cars in Brazil, Kholsa mentioned India with its strong agricultural base to grow the babmboo that produces ethanol could turn this opportunity to their benefit. Khosla, a well-known venture capitalist started Khosla Ventures in 2004. He had invested in ethanol companies in the past but the initiative for alternative energy source failed. .

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