Bio-fuel policy to help sustain energy use

 THE country needs a national bio-fuel policy to use its vast bio-energy resources although 100% bio-diesel has been used in the country for years, an expert says.

Uron Salum, the managing director of the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community, said there was no Government policy to use bio-fuel as a sustainable energy source for its growing population.

He was speaking at the bio-fuel taskforce consultation workshop organised by the Department of Public Enterprises in Port Moresby.

Salum said coconut was one of the potential bio-energy sources and needed its institutions strengthened to help farmers in production.

He said land for coconut had been reduced and the remaining trees were old, resulting in a reduction in production although it contributed 0.5% to the national export earnings.

“Coconut can be processed for multiple bio-fuel products and it needs policy backing to develop a road map for this very important area,” Salum said.

“The move is timely requiring expediency but the Government needs to make well-informed decisions,” he said.

Salum said most countries in Asia had recognised the importance of bio-energy and developed policies to use its potential.

He said Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia had workable bio-fuel policies which PNG should adopt.