There are many opportunities for investments in energy savings in Fiji at the national level, especially in biofuel production.
Department of Energy acting director Peceli Nakavulevu said Fiji needed 60 million litres of bio-fuel because we were producing only 1.5 million litres.
With the volume required there is certainly a huge demand that needs to be met and the department is working closely with Investment Fiji in trying to encourage investors in this particular area.
“Government has been very accommodating through the Cabinet approval on the biofuel standards. At the moment the biofuel use is still voluntary and the Department of Energy is working with oil companies to mandate the use of biofuel in the country,” Nakavulevu said.
Biofuel engineer Pranil Singh told potential investors from Thailand this week, that the automotive industry in Fiji required 300million liters of fuel.
He said the transport industry in Fiji would require 42 per cent of biofuel. The 42 per cent mention here is the consumption of the transport sector with respect to the total imports coming into the country.
“Diesel will require 5 per cent blend with biofuel while gasoline will require 10 per cent to blend with biofuel,” Singh said.
“Those potential Investors in biofuel could capitalize on this enormous opportunity because over time Fiji will have to go 100 per cent on non fossil fuel.”
Fiji is capitalizing on its renewable energy sources like the Monasavu Hydro Dam and the new 40Mw Nadarivatu Hydro that is nearing completion.
Government through the Department of Energy is effectively trying avenues to reduce Fiji’s fossil fuel import bill.
Apart from the two major hydro-electric dam and other renewable energy initiatives, Fiji also capitalized on bio-fuel from coconuts by setting up Biofuel Mills on Koro Island in the Lomaiviti province.
The latest will be on Cicia island which the Prime Minister Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama will open this Thursday.
Other companies investing in biofuel business in Fiji include Biodiesel Group and Niu Industries.
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