For over 50 years, Origin, one of Australia’s leading energy companies, has been supplying LPG to domestic, commercial and industrial customers in countries throughout the Pacific, including Papua New Guinea, The Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, America Samoa and the Cook Islands.

Origin’s aim is to maximise the usage of LPG as a preferred energy source in the Pacific. LPG is an environmentally friendly, clean, efficient and reliable product.

In the Pacific, the majority of energy consumed comes from traditional fuels such as biomass and oil. In Fiji and Vanuatu, LPG accounts for as little as two per cent of total consumption.

Origin’s LPG Pacific Supply Manager Ian Bulmer said despite LPG’s small contribution to total fuel consumption, it plays a significant role in the region’s economic and sustainable development.

“LPG underpins much of the region’s economic activity; from cooking and heating water at holiday resorts to operating forklifts at the fish canneries.

“As a replacement fuel it also provides a number of health and environmental benefits, including lowering the levels of indoor household pollution, easing pressure on natural forests and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

In the last 12 months, the Pacific region saw continued steady growth in LPG sales, despite civil unrest in Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Fiji is the largest LPG market in the Pacific and consumes around 13,000 tonnes per year, with significant growth coming from the use of LPG for hot water and cooking.

Although the market is growing, one of the biggest challenges is raising awareness on the long-term environmental benefits of LPG. In particular, many households in the domestic market consider LPG a luxury good, with a 45 kg cylinder typically lasting up to three months.

“The Pacific is a price sensitive market so it’s essential to be aware of the costs. With climate change a key issue for the Pacific we are investigating ways to help the Islanders' transition to cleaner fuel alternatives,” Mr Bulmer said.

As a key supplier to the Pacific region, Mr Bulmer said Origin has a responsibility to provide LPG regularly and on time, especially to those countries that are growing.

In meeting LPG demands in the region, Origin operates two gas carriers supplying a total of 28,000 tonnes per annum to 16 ports. There are only three ports in the region currently not supplied by Origin.

Origin also operates three other gas carriers in Australia and New Zealand and occasionally uses these carriers to maintain supply of LPG into the Pacific.

On land, Origin’s facilities include bulk storage terminals with capacity ranging from 60 to 1,200 tonnes, bulk delivery trucks for larger consumers, cylinder delivery trucks for the domestic markets and show rooms that sell gas appliances, such as water heaters and stainless steel cookers. In Papua New Guinea, coastal ships regularly deliver cylinders to outlying ports not serviced by roads.

Origin continues to invest in new infrastructure such as storage. Recently, Fiji Gas, which is 51 per cent owned by Origin, completed and commissioned five 250 tonne tanks in a $5 million terminal expansion at Lami and Lautoka in Fiji.

Origin’s integrated supply chain and LPG infrastructure is unique in the world, providing Origin with a competitive advantage and ensuring the sustainability of its business activities in the Pacific.

Mr Bulmer said “Origin aims to be at the forefront of sustainable business practices, contributing to a positive future for our customers and communities.

“Our business model is quite adaptable and the infrastructure we have developed will enable us to grow new markets to help meet the energy requirements of the Pacific region for many years to come.”