Brooksbank, John, Towle, Simon, and Lynch, Paul (2017) Sustainable energy for Manus Province. In: [Presented at the PNG Impact Conference]. From: PNG Impact Conference: Research Innovation Society, 12-13 December 2017, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore sustainable business opportunities designed to revive and maintain the local economy of Manus province following the closure of the Australian Asylum Seekers Processing Facility on Los Negros Island in Manus province, Papua New Guinea. The eventual closure in late 2017 has left a legacy of severe local unemployment, environmental degradation, waste management issues and social dislocation.

The authors consider that Manus has the means to become self-sufficient in energy. However, the present escalating cost of diesel fuel for the island's power generator is one of the greatest expenses confronting the Manus's mainly subsistence economy. From an energy sustainability perspective, the island has a large commercial coconut crusher currently located in the provincial capital Lorengau, and 24 under-utilised coastal copra plantations easily accessible by barge (Manus DPI, 2012). It has substantial deep-water wharf facilities at Lombrum Naval Base conveniently close to the island's existing power generators, which are in dire need of replacement. In addition, solar will be considered in the mix of renewable energy options for the province. The Manus economy can be expanded through practical hands-on training and mentoring to Australian standards to regenerate existing copra plantations with the ability to supply long term bio-fuel operations to power the island economy. We propose to give the people of Manus capacity to expand their economy in a sustainable way, led by the Manus community in partnership with the Australian Government, The Cairns Institute, the PNG educational institutions such as University of Papua New Guinea and University of Technology, and the Manus Local Level and Provincial Governments. Furthermore, Manus Province has great natural beauty with considerable potential as an eco-tourism destination. This proposed program will provide regional social, economic and environmental development opportunities underpinned energy security. This will enable villagers to recover from the closure of the Australian Asylum Seekers Processing Facility by providing ongoing meaningful training and employment in a range of sectors including energy, engineering, health and tourism.

Item ID:	53140
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Related URLs:	http://www.cairnsinstitute.jcu.edu.au/pn...
Date Deposited:	24 Jul 2018 02:11
FoR Codes:	12 BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN > 1204 Engineering Design > 120401 Engineering Design Empirical Studies @ 40% 15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1503 Business and Management > 150309 Logistics and Supply Chain Management @ 40% 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1608 Sociology > 160802 Environmental Sociology @ 20%
SEO Codes:	85 ENERGY > 8505 Renewable Energy > 850501 Biofuel (Biomass) Energy @ 80% 85 ENERGY > 8505 Renewable Energy > 850504 Solar-Photovoltaic Energy @ 20%
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