Coconut oil is a local resource that is abundantly available in Fiji and especially in the rural coastal communities. While it has for years it has traditonally priovided food and shelter, its is now being used to generate electricity. This is through a specially designed generator that utilizes coconut oil as its primary fuel source 90% – 95% of the total running time of the generator.
Two such communities that are greatly benefiting from the coconut biofuel programs are Lomaloma, Naqara and Sawana villages in Vanua Balavu and Welagi village in Taveuni. The projects were setup through DOE – Secretariat of the Pacific Community(SPC) cooperation and technology provided by CIRAD Fance through French Government funding.
The Ministry of Agriculture (Taveuni Coconut Centre) and Public Works Department(Electrical) were vital partners in this project implementation and not to mention the four villages that are now part of the project.
Yearly inspections are carried out on the project sites for repairs and training of technicians to run the generators.
