Fiji produces over half of its electricity from hydropower. However, the volatility of annual rainfall in recent years, along with an increase in climate variability, has compounded problems caused by the lack of a stable electricity supply.
This project aims to overcome barriers of financing, technical capacity, and limited availability of land by supporting an innovative technology that combines photovoltaic power generation and agricultural production. It will do this by financing a 4 MW solar agrophotovoltaic (APV) system and 5MW battery energy storage system (BESS) in Ovalau, Fiji''s sixth largest island. It will develop solar power generation simultaneously with battery storage and, as a co-benefit, boost local agricultural production. A key feature of this initiative is the way it will provide technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of local communities while also establishing a climate project financing facility within Fiji''s Development Bank (FDB).
Author: Noelle van Hove
Fiji is embarking on a project to bring solar power to its remote islands. It starts by creating tenders for mini-grid construction, and employing tools to customize energy systems for each community ensuring each community’s needs are met. The project is building bridges with local communities and has received very positive feedback. It’s a collaborative effort with partners and aims to secure $40 million in funding. The goal is not just to provide electricity but to create a brighter and more sustainable future for Fijian communities. Fiji is on its way to a more electrified future, one mini-grid at a time.
Accelerating Solar Panel Deployment in Fiji: Lighting Up Lives Across the IslandsFiji, known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, is on a mission to bring electricity to even the most remote islands in the pacific archipelago. An innovative project is underway with the goal of not only developing 75 mini-grid site tenders, but also uplifting communities through economic development, healthcare access, and education opportunities.
Tenders: Building Bridges to ProgressAt the heart of this initiative are tenders—documents that map out the blueprint for constructing mini-grid infrastructure. They’re essentially the keys to unlocking progress, inviting companies to bid for the construction, operation, and maintenance of these vital energy networks. The end goal? To empower companies to electrify Fiji and set its communities on a path to prosperity.
Prioritizing ProgressWith countless potential sites across the islands, prioritization is key. The project team ranks sites based on a multitude of factors, including economic development potential, accessibility to healthcare, and proximity to schools. It’s not just about electricity; it’s about creating an environment where growth and opportunity can flourish.
Diverse Deployment Across the IslandsThe beauty of this initiative lies in its diversity. Mini-grid sites are scattered throughout Fiji’s various regions, ensuring that no corner of the islands are left in the dark. From remote villages nestled in lush forests to coastal communities touched by the sea, Fiji’s unique landscape will be connected by the strands of renewable energy.
On the Ground: From Villages to ValleysTo make informed decisions, the project team embarks on-site visits. These journeys serve multiple purposes – they gather crucial information, assess land availability, and gauge the scale of potential impact. We will find out how many houses can be illuminated. We seek to answer questions such as: how many houses could be illuminated; how many schools, churches, and businesses can thrive with a stable source of electricity? These visits are more than just fieldwork; they’re explorations into brighter futures.
Calculating the Load with CometOne key aspect of the project is determining the energy needs of each site. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor; load estimation is essential. To ensure that each mini-grid operates efficiently, the Comet tool is employed. It helps calculate load estimations, ensuring that the energy systems are perfectly tailored to the specific needs of each community.
Building BridgesWhile the project is making great strides, it’s also building bridges with local communities. The reception has been overwhelmingly positive. People are eager to welcome solar power into their lives, and excited about the new opportunities it will bring. The fieldwork also brings moments of cultural exchange, where sharing a cup of Kava, (or yaquona) a traditional drink made from the roots of the kava plant, a central element of Fijian social gatherings and ceremonies for centuries, becomes a symbol of camaraderie.
Fiji steps closer to its renewable energy goals with USTDA grant for a feasibility study that will support the development of up to 75 solar-powered mini-grids with energy storage providing clean, affordable energy to communities in Fiji
Fiji is a step closer to its goal to provide 100 percent of its population with access to affordable, reliable, safe and clean energy services.
Wednesday, the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a US$750,000 grant to Fiji''s Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics (MoF) for a feasibility study that will advance Fiji''s goals of 100 percent rural electrification and renewable power generation by 2030.
United States Ambassador, Marie Damour said prospects for clean energy in the Pacific have generated enormous enthusiasm and excitement.
"So, the more we can do to switch to clean energy, we will be looking at a brighter future, but the hardest part of taking advantage of solar power, especially in rural areas is figuring out how to get started.
"And that’s exactly what this partnership that we’re celebrating today will accomplish."
This collaboration will provide clean, affordable energy to 25,000 Fijians living in rural and isolated communities throughout Fiji.
The study will support the development of up to 75 solar-powered mini-grids with energy storage.
It will assess 300 isolated communities that lack access to reliable and affordable electricity and prioritise 75 for community engagement and detailed feasibility assessments.
Fiji''s MoF selected Arizona State University''s (ASU) Laboratory for Energy and Power Solutions (LEAPS), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and XENDEE Corporation to carry out the study.
"The Ministry of Finance expresses gratitude to USTDA for this new partnership and is excited to leverage the technical expertise of the ASU, GGGI, and XENDEE consortium," Permanent Secretary of the MoF, Shiri Gounder said.
"So far Fiji has managed to collect almost 96 percent of our population to energy and there is 4 percent that is in very isolated areas and it’s these kinds of projects and support from development partners that are critical for us to not only increase the electricity collections, but move towards clean energy, and we look forward to work with the government of U.S and all the partners in this initiative," he said.
Arizona State University Associate Professor Nathan Johnson said when it comes to climate change, "we all must be united."
"The USTDA graciously funded this work through the Global Partnership for climate smart infrastructure, an initiative focused on providing resilient energy and transportation projects that promote decarbonisation, and protect against extreme weather, sea level rise and other climate change impacts."
"We have to come together in the boldness of biodiversity, to come up with a solution at a scale that makes a difference at a timescale that is soon enough to avoid those critical impacts and at the same time, benefit people that just need to live their lives every day, who don’t have enough of what they need, and what perhaps most of us take for granted," said GGGI Deputy Director-General Helena McLeod.
"Energy is one of the areas that we really focus on, it’s been an area that you’ve really asked us to work on and we’re proud to work on that.
"Whilst we won’t be reaching all of the rural population, this provides a model that can be scaled even," said McLeod.
This site assessment includes the development of technical models, geospatial site planning, sustainable business models, climate change impact assessments, and ownership and operation models.
The study will also include the preparation of public tender documents for the construction, operation and maintenance of the mini-grids.
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