Alternative fuel grows on trees

The following link describes how the South Pacific nations of Vanuatu and Samoa are turning coconuts into fuel to combat the soaring cost of importing diesel.

Comment on fiji that
"The economics are too difficult" for large-scale use of coconut oil fuel, said Jan Cloin, an advisor with the Fiji-based South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission. "But for a very remote island it could still be a viable alternative."

The Fiji Electricity Authority makes about half its power from diesel. It will try coconut oil and four other biofuels in its smaller generators this year, and has sought bids for a monthly supply of 500 tons of refined vegetable oil for its bigger plants. It also plans wind and hydroelectric power projects with Pacific Hydro of Melbourne to cut its dependence on imported fuels.


Coconut oil's big advantage over wind or solar panels is that it can be used in existing generators, said Cloin at the geoscience commission.


My take on cocunut oil is that it is really only feasible for the subsistence use meaning just for generators in each of the villages. Once you start exporting cocunut oil then transportation costs makes it unviable