29 August 2014: The UN Development Programme (UNDP), Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) are showcasing their bio-fuel partnership at the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which is taking place in Apia, Samoa. The project has turned the Merremia vine – a toxic, invasive weed in Samoa – into electricity to generate biofuel and connect Samoan communities to the national grid.

The Merremia vine has contributed to killing over 60% of Samoa’s forests, according to Mina Weydalh, UNDP Samoa, who said it is a threat to the island’s biodiversity and forests. As biomass, however, the weed represents fuel for bioenergy.

Biogas offers potential for community-level energy generation in SIDS, according to UNDP Samoa. The project is supporting the community of Piu, Samoa, to build and manage a power station fueled by organic waste, and also plans to use this technology to build larger bio-digesters that can provide power for six families.

The UN and the Government of Samoa are showcasing the bio-fuel partnership at the Conference by providing biogas to fuel 15 six-seater electric carts for conference delegates to ride in, to demonstrate the potential of biogas in SIDS, and encourage the development and expansion of partnerships on renewable energy.

The project is part of the regional Pacific Island Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Programme (PIGGAREP), which is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of Denmark. [UN Press Release] [IISD RS Meeting Coverage]