To investigate the combustion characteristics of palm methyl ester (PME) as an alternative fuel for gas turbines, combustion experiments at atmospheric pressure using high-temperature air (673 K) were performed. Chemical equilibrium calculations and investigations of fuel atomizing characteristics using a laser diffraction spray analyzer (LDSA) were also conducted. The results show that combustion characteristics of PME are similar to those of diesel fuel. Furthermore, it is indicated that NO, emissions can be reduced by using PME instead of diesel fuel for gas turbines. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.