Papua New Guinea
People on the island of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea have found their own solution to high energy prices - the
humble coconut.
They are developing mini-refineries that produce a coconut oil that can
replace diesel.
From police officers to priests, the locals are powering up their vehicles
and generators with coco-fuel.
Inquiries for the coconut power have come in from overseas, including Iran
and Europe.
For years, the people of Bougainville have been dependent on expensive fuel
imported onto the island.
Shortages have often caused many businesses in this part of Papua New Guinea to grind to a halt. High energy costs have
not helped either.
Doesn't it sound good if you really run your car on something which falls off
a tree and that's the good thing about it
Matthias Horn
Refinery operator
Increasingly, locals are turning to a cheaper and far more sustainable alternative to diesel. Coconut oil is being
produced at a growing number of backyard refineries.
Matthias Horn, a German migrant and an engineer, operates one such refinery.
"They sometimes refer to me as the Mad German because how can you do that to your car... filling it with some coconut
juice that you normally fry your fish in," he said.
"The coconut tree is a beautiful tree. Doesn't it sound good if you really run your car on something which falls off a
tree and that's the good thing about it. You run your car and it smells nice and it's environmentally friendly and
that's the main thing."
Mr Horn said his work had attracted interest from Iran.
Refineries like his also produce oils for cooking and cosmetics as well as
soap.
Coconut power is not new in Bougainville.
The island endured years of civil unrest in which thousands of people were killed in a fight for independence in the
1990s. Dwindling supplies of diesel forced islanders to look for alternatives and the coconut was chosen.
In peacetime, new technology is propelling this sweet-smelling industry to
greater heights.
SEE ALSO
Country Profile: Papua New Guinea
09 Jul 03 | Country profiles
Timeline: Papua New Guinea
19 May 03 | Country profiles
RELATED INTERNET LINKS
PNG Prime Minister
[permaculture] BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Coconut oil powers island's cars,
Lawrence F. London, Jr., 05/08/2007