Only a year since setting up operations in Fiji, Bio Fuel International has taken a very bold step by guaranteeing the people of Fiji that Fiji will become completely energy independent by 2020.

Bio Fuels International has started planting Castor plants in Vanua Levu to derive the bio fuel which can be used for various purposes.

The company is also planting Pongamia from which bio fuels can also be extracted.

Company CEO Tim Gibbons revealed that they have planted more than 1000 hectares of castor seeds with 320,000 hybrid castor plants going into the ground on planting days.

Bio Fuels International has teamed up with landowners in Bua to plant the castor trees and its seeds can be harvested in 80 days with a 97 percent germination rate.

Gibbon said through the work being undertaken on the ground, which is the first of its kind in the world, Fiji should become energy balanced by 2014 and totally energy independent by 2020 which will mean that the $1.2 billion spent on fuel annually will remain within the country.

Bio Fuels International will have its first bio fuel extraction machine in the country by next month to start production.

However, Bio Fuel representatives could not confirm when or how this fuel would be sold and at what price.

They are also trying to work out the details on how it would be used in motor vehicles in Fiji or for generating electricity from the current diesel generators.

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Colonel Mason Smith said they support the work being undertaken by Bio Fuels International and are assisting in finding more land for use.

Story by: Roneel Lal