Department of Energy’s principal engineer Biofuel Jeke Pai said a policy framework and mandate was needed hence the reason for Friday’s workshop. nThe workshop was also held to guarantee a market for investors.

The establishment of nine renewable diesel plants was worth around $5.1m.

the Fijian Government is committed to the Biofuel initiative as the Biofuel sector in Fiji is making positive progress.

This was stated by the Department of Energy’s principal engineer Biofuel Jeke Pai at the National Biofuel Policy Stakeholder Consultation Workshop in Suva on Friday.

Mr Pai said biofuel had been silent but not halting any progress and has been progressing.

“Biofuel sector in Fiji is making positive progress that is laying the foundation for sustainability and reduction in the future import bill,” Mr Pai said.

He said over the year, they faced challenges of market issues, reducing biofuel production cost, user and infrastructure compatibility and technical support of local educational programmes.

He said the Fijian Government have set up nine renewable diesel plants on the islands of Koro, Cicia, Rotuma, Gau, Lakeba, Vanuabalavu, Rabi, Moala and Matuku.

The project cost is around FJ$5.1 million and a review was conducted in late 2016 and early this year.

New strategy plans are to be implemented in the next three years.

Mr Pai said a policy framework and mandate was needed hence the reason for the workshop in-order to guarantee a market for investors.

He said during the pilot phase- Biofuel could be produced by non-dedicated source such as the sugar mills as secondary or tertiary product.

However, he said risks were high and government needed to heavily subsidise on this in early stages.