ALM UNDP

Summary:

Samoa is currently dependent on the import of diesel fuel for a significant part of its power generation. Therefore, EPC is looking into viable and cleaner alternatives that make use of an abundant local resource: the coconut. As coconut-based exporting agro industries are struggling, it is also very timely to develop a new domestic market for coconuts. Traditional copra oil industry has almost disappeared through low returns for local labour. Coconut oil can replace diesel fuel through using blends, straight coconut oil, or using biodiesel. If blends below 10% are used, no adaptations are required, provided the engine runs in the upper part of the load curve. Above a 10 % blend, alterations to engines are required. For biodiesel made from coconut oil, no alterations to engines are required. However, the production cost of Coconut Oil Biodiesel in Samoa cannot compete with diesel fuel at oil prices of US$ 50 per barrel. Biodiesel might become a viable option with production based on lower cost waste vegetable oil.

The Electric Power Corporation (EPC) in cooperation with the Government of Samoa and UNDP Samoa are undertaking the preparatory phase of the Coconut Oil for Power Generation (CocoGen) project. UNDP Samoa funds this preparatory phase. As part of the preparatory activities a consultancy are required to provide assistance in the preparation of a feasibility study and the development of a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Operational Program (OP)-6 Medium-Sized? Project (MSP) Proposal. **Phases:** 1. To determine the resource, technical, institutional, regulatory, economic and financial feasibility of the substitution of coconut oil to diesel fuel oil (DFO) in EPC’s power generation; and 2. To prepare a proposal for promotion of coconut oil-based power generation, and accompanying barrier removal activities.

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