Fiji has made significant strides toward enhancing its sustainable energy initiatives with a new partnership involving Fiji Pine Limited, Tropik Wood Industries Limited, and Nabou Green Energy Pte Limited. Announced by Forestry Minister Alitia Bainivalu, this collaboration aims to utilize idle leased land at Nabou to cultivate biomass fuel, further solidifying Fiji’s commitment to renewable energy and forest management.

Through this partnership, Fiji Pine Limited and Nabou Green Energy plan to develop fuelwood plantations on the underused land, establishing a long-term renewable fuel supply chain that aligns with the nation’s renewable energy policy. This initiative will initiate with a pilot project covering 50 hectares, with aspirations to produce up to 150,000 tonnes of fuelwood annually. Nabou Green Energy will ensure a reliable market for the harvested fuelwood, facilitating logistics to transport it to the power plant.

Minister Bainivalu noted the advantages of utilizing fast-growing tree species for biofuel production and emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange between Nabou Green Energy and Tropik Wood Industries to optimize biomass power plant efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Fiji Pine Group’s executive chairman, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, expressed support for the collaboration, emphasizing the dual benefit of economic viability and environmental sustainability. This initiative not only supports the Fijian economy by providing immediate economic benefits to landowners through regular harvests every five years but also reinforces the role of sustainable practices in forest resource management.

The CEO of Nabou Green Energy, Seong Min Kim, echoed this sentiment, pointing out the comparative advantages of biomass energy over traditional diesel power, particularly in terms of costs and potential economic boosts for local communities.

In summary, this initiative presents a hopeful outlook for Fiji’s biofuel industry and reflects the government’s proactive stance toward sustainability and renewable energy development. By investing in biomass fuel production, Fiji is paving the way for a greener future, enhancing energy independence, supporting local economies, and promoting sustainable forestry practices.