Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) has expressed its approval of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (FCCC) independent decision regarding the revised electricity tariffs, which will take effect from 2026 until 2029. According to EFL Chief Executive Officer Fatiaki Gibson, this determination comes after EFL’s resubmissions in 2023 and signifies a transition from a single flat tariff system to a stepped inclining block structure for both domestic and commercial consumers, while maintaining the current arrangement for industrial users.
Gibson praised the FCCC’s decision, stating that it establishes a more equitable pricing framework while bolstering the long-term sustainability of Fiji’s energy sector. He noted that these adjustments will ensure that the largest electricity consumers, who are significantly reliant on grid stability, contribute to the necessary investments for enhanced long-term reliability.
Despite the forthcoming tariff changes, Gibson pointed out that Fiji will still maintain some of the most competitive electricity prices in the region. He emphasized, “Fiji continues to have the lowest domestic electricity rates in the Pacific, less than those in Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand.” He added that for commercial users, Fiji holds the second-lowest tariffs in the Pacific, surpassed only by New Zealand.
The FCCC’s determination aligns with EFL’s extensive long-term investment program aimed at fostering a stronger and more sustainable energy future. Planned investments include over $700 million allocated for modernizing the national power grid, $400 million for grid-scale solar projects, and an additional $653 million dedicated to significant hydro developments at Lower Ba and Upper Wailoa.
Gibson noted the broader benefits of these investments: “These projects will enhance reliability, reduce outages, and assist Fiji in achieving 60 percent renewable energy by 2029 and 90 percent by 2035.” He concluded that the transition towards greater renewable energy reliance would lead to more stable power and long-term savings as Fiji decreases its dependence on imported fuels, paving the way for an economically and environmentally sustainable future.
Leave a comment