THE Fiji Gas Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Generator Demonstration Project, a collaborative project between Fiji Gas, Japanese company Obayashi Corporation and New Zealand-based company Halcyon Power, was launched on Tuesday at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka.
Halcyon Power Ltd is a 50/50 joint venture between Tūaropaki Trust in New Zealand and Obayashi Corporation of Japan to produce green hydrogen.
The project time frame began in February last year to January this year. The site is located at Veitari, Lautoka and will run on a blend of green hydrogen and diesel, reducing carbon emissions while maintaining reliable energy output.
It will showcase the use of green hydrogen, produced from geothermal energy in New Zealand, in a dual-fuel generator, the first of its kind in the Pacific.
While the value was not disclosed, it was confirmed that the Ministry of Economy and the government of Japan are partially funding it.
Fiji Gas Operations manager Abas Ali said the partnership with Obayashi Corporation was part of an international consortium to implement the project.
“The project site located at the Fiji Gas terminal on Veitari, Lautoka now holds the dual fuel hydrogen generator which is fully integrated into the terminal’s power supply system,” he said.
“Essentially in simple words the dual fuel generator is supplying power to our Lautoka terminal site which helps us save on our EFL bill for the time that the generator is running.”
Obayashi Corporation managing executive officer head of green energy division Dr Kenichi Ando commended the Fijian government for supporting the project.
“We’ll bring hydrogen not only here but also to the world, this is the first trial for Obayashi to bring the hydrogen, this project is supported by the Fijian government, so we thank them very much for that,” he said.
Tūaropaki Trust deputy chair Dr James Ataria said the project served as critical catalyst, demonstrating the utility of green hydrogen as a credible and a multi variable tool on the road to decarbonising the economy in Fiji and across the Pacific.
“We certainly understand the importance of our natural environment and our bio heritage and striving to improve the environmental footprint of our commercial entities and our activities,” he said.
