Commercial studies are under way in Fiji to determine the feasibility of using bio-fuel to generate electricity in rural areas.
The Fiji Times reports that the studies are being conducted for Bio-Diesel Fiji Limited by an Australian engineer, Richard Noss.
Mr Noss is setting up a bio-diesel generator which can use any plant material that produces oil but in Fiji this will be copra or coconut oil.
He says diesel oil will be used to start the engine which will then automatically switch to coconut oil for the duration of its operation.
Mr Noss says bio-fuel is environment friendly, affordable and robust, and if used in vehicles there will be no polluting exhaust fumes.
The Fiji Electricity Authority and the Asian Development Bank's Fiji office have both expressed interest in the trials.
