THE National Executive Council (NEC) has endorsed the country’s first large-scale biodiesel project – with facilities in Pomio, East New Britain, and Central.
Pomio MP Elias Kapavore has been a strong advocate for the project, playing a role in advancing it to this stage.
“This is a significant moment for Pomio and East New Britain,” he said.
“It reflects a shared vision for development that delivers real opportunities for our communities and ensures our district plays a meaningful role in the country’s economic future.”
The project, facilitated by InvestPNG in coordination with project developer Mutual Wide Corporation (MWC), establishes biodiesel facilities at both locations, with large-scale oil palm cultivation in Pomio supplying feedstock for domestic processing.
MWC chief executive officer Mal Michael said the project demonstrated how large-scale investment could support both national priorities and local economic development.
“This is exactly the type of project PNG needs to unlock long-term, sustainable growth,” he said.
“It brings together agriculture, energy, and industrial processing into a single value chain that is anchored domestically.”
This initiative represents a shift from imported fuels toward a more resilient, domestically anchored energy system.
Papua New Guinea currently remains heavily dependent on imported diesel, exposing the economy to global price volatility, foreign exchange pressures, and supply chain disruptions.
The project addresses this structural vulnerability by creating a secure, local fuel supply.
