Press Release from PNG Sustainable Energy Ltd (a subsidiary of PNG Sustainable Development Programme (PNGSDP)

Between Monday 17 and Wednesday 19 March, the National Fisheries College (NFC) in Kavieng, New Ireland, hosted the inaugural Coconut Oil Biofuel Symposium. The symposium brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sector to share experiences with using coconut oil fuel and to develop strategies to promote the sustainable development of associated technologies in Papua New Guinea.

In recent years the rising price of diesel fuel has acted as a major barrier to the access to rural power and affordable transport, both on land and at sea. In response a number of private practitioners have successfully begun using locally produced coconut oil as a diesel substitute. These innovators have encouraged Government, development organizations, business and private operators to investigate and adopt the technology as a development mechanism.

The symposium was co-sponsored by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and PNG Sustainable Energy Limited (PNG SEL). Both organisations are actively involved in developing coconut oil biofuel projects within the country and believe these technologies can improve rural livelihoods by reducing dependence on imported and increasingly more expensive diesel fuel.

The symposium was initiated at the direction of NFA Managing Director, Sylvester Pokajam, to encourage collaboration of key stakeholders and share information between groups involved in coconut oil biofuel development and production. “We are all working towards a common goal of developing these technologies to improve the livelihoods of rural Papua New Guineans. If we all work together we can work more effectively,” said Mr Pokajam.

The keynote speaker at the event was Steven Hobbs, a biofuel expert from Australia, who provided a wealth of technical advice and practical instruction. Mr Hobbs was sponsored to attend the symposium by the regional EU DEVFISH project, which has also supported trials of engine conversion kits supplied from Australia.

Other key participants included: Project Support Services from Lae, who supply a range of coconut oil processing equipment and appropriate technology machinery; Buka Metal Fabricators, who have been operating gensets and vehicles on coconut oil for more than four years; Copra Cocoa Institute (CCI), Madang; University of Technology (Unitech), Lae; Maritime Safety Authority, and; representatives from NFA and PNG SEL.

The symposium also provided a forum to review strategies for participating in the Sustainable Energy Financing Project (SEFP). The SEFP is a World Bank initiative comprising a US$9.48 million GEF grant that aims to significantly increase the adoption and use of renewable energy technologies within PNG and other Pacific island countries.

The SEFP will provide affordable financing options for users that wish to purchase renewable energy technologies. PNG SEL is the implementing agency for the SEFP in PNG and is preparing the product catalogue for individuals to select the most appropriate technology. For businesses, a satisfactory business plan will be required before the business can participate.

PNG SEL is currently operating a small coconut oil biofuel project on the Aroma Coast of Central Province and has more biofuel projects in design phase. Peter Martin, the CEO of PNG SEL, was highly encouraged by the outcomes of the symposium and the future direction the biofuel network. “The symposium was a fantastic initiative and PNG SEL will continue to work with local partners to develop commercial biofuel projects and to support the SEFP as the implementing agency,” said Mr Martin.

The first two days of the symposium primarily consisted of presentations by the various event participants, generally covering the technical aspects of coconut oil production, processing and utilisation in diesel engines. This was complimented with a site visit to the NFA’s coconut oil biofuel processing facility in Kavieng, which has been processing approximately 800 litres per day, most of which has been used to fuel marine vessels. The third day consisted of group discussions and workshops to develop strategies to increase availability of coconut oil fuel.

The NFA coconut oil facility was initiated over a year ago to explore fuel alternative opportunities for fishing vessel operation and to stimulate coastal community copra production as an alternative cash income to over fishing the beche de mer fishery. “I’m often asked why the NFA is involved in coconut oil biofuel,” said Mr Pokajam. “It is primarily due to the spiralling cost of diesel and its impact on commercial fisheries economic viability. At the same time, we can see real value for rural communities from revitalising the copra industry.”

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Disclosure: NFA website was developed by Masalai Communications