Overview

Renewable energy such as solar, hydro and biomass have strong potential in Fiji.  The country’s energy needs are currently met from a variety of sources, including hydro, diesel, wood, coal, and petroleum products.  Fiji’s 20-year National Development Plan calls for all power to be generated from renewable sources by 2030 and will require an additional 120MW of renewable energy to achieve this target.  Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) is the main generator and distributor of grid-based power to an estimated 90 percent of the population on the main islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Ovalau.  EFL aims to be 90 percent renewable powered by 2025 and 99 percent by 2030.  Currently, about 40 percent of power is generated from diesel and heavy fuel oil, which is purchased from local companies via Singapore-based suppliers.  Prior to the pandemic, Fiji’s electricity demand had increased by 14 percent over a four-year period from 2016 to 2019.  Energy generated from renewable sources is primarily hydro.  Four 5MW solar farm projects are currently in progress.  The Government remains the major shareholder in EFL with 51 percent ownership, while a new Japanese partner, Sevens Pacific Pte Ltd, owns 44 percent, and Fijian domestic accounts hold the remaining 5 percent.  EFL has an ongoing $900 million (FJ$1.97 billion) 10-year Power Development Plan (PDP) to invest in new generation transmission and distribution.  EFL’s capital expenditures planned for 2021, 2022, and 2023 are expected to total FJ$96.2 million, FJ$51.3 million and FJ$66 million respectively. Approximately 4 percent of the total population is still without proper access to electricity while at least 90 per cent of the population is connected to the national grid. Presently, 45 percent of the country’s power is supplied through fossil fuels, 50 percent through hydropower and the remaining five percent from biomass and wind.

Units: USD millions
Source: Fiji Bureau of Statistics

Leading sub-sectors:

• Hydro & solar power energy generation
• Energy equipment and services

Opportunities

Incentives are offered to encourage investments in energy generation through renewable energy sources and to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.  Fiji has untapped renewable energy resources such as hydro, wind, biomass, solar, and geothermal, which can be used for energy generation. Opportunities exist for replacing fossil fuels used in ground transport through expanding the use of biofuels, hybrid, and electric vehicles and for investments in small-scale renewable energy systems. There is further potential for the use of renewable energies in maritime transport and improved efficiency of vessels and engines.

Resources

• Investment Fiji
• Energy Fiji Limited
• Fiji Department of Energy
• Pacific Power Association