Biofuel from coconut resoruces in Rotuma : a feasibility study on the establishment of an electrification scheme using local energy resources

Abstract

Located 640 km North North West of Fiji’s capital Suva, Rotuma is Fiji’s remotest island. Disruptions in fuel supply and high supply cost for fuel have triggered interest to develop local coconut resources and other renewable energies. In 2005 an electrification project using coconut oil as a fuel was proposed under the regional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Project (REEP) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). ADB was unable to fund such a study and Fiji Government (DoE) requested the Pacific Islands Energy Policy and Strategic Action Planning Project (PIEPSAP) to assist in carrying out further studies. In June 2006 it was agreed between ADB, DoE and PIEPSAP to further investigate the feasibility of biofuels and other renewable energy resources. In response, PIEPSAP with support from the European Union- funded project “Reducing Vulnerability of Pacific ACP States” conducted field research on Rotuma and compiled the presented study.