TEHRAN, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Ali Ameri, head of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, has revealed that Iran plans to produce bio-ethanol, the local Press TV reported on Wednesday.

    "The project to produce bio-ethanol is to start in the next three months" and the Oil Ministry "is to sign an accord in this regard with the Iranian association of ethanol producers," Ameri was quoted as saying.

    Ethanol fuel is ethyl alcohol and can be used as a fuel, which is environmental friendly, and is mainly used as a biofuel alternative to gasoline.

    Reportedly, Iran produces around 17.86 million tons of waste crops every year. However, agricultural residues, which include the production of biofuels, have not commonly been used for energy application in Iran.

    Gas and the fossil crude oil products are the major sources of energy for domestic and industrial uses in Iran.