Fiji will soon unveil a comprehensive plan aimed at insulating the country from the fallout of the global energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict, with a heavy emphasis on accelerating adoption of green energy across key sectors, Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka said on Monday. The package, still being finalised by government agencies, prioritises reducing reliance on imported fuels and bolstering the resilience of the tourism-dependent economy through renewable electricity and optimisation of existing local energy assets.
Gavoka told FBC News that Fiji already draws about 60 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, and that the new plan will build on past programmes to expand that share further. “We are revisiting and optimising what has worked before,” he said, identifying targeted interventions to bring underutilised capacity online and encourage resorts and tourism operators to fast‑track investments in solar and other renewable solutions in response to current energy pressures.
Concrete measures under consideration include ramping up energy production from sugarcane by‑products at the Labasa, Lautoka and Rarawai mills — facilities that have historically supplied additional power to nearby towns and cities during periods of peak demand. Officials are also examining options to repurpose other underused installations, such as a Korean‑operated plant on the Coral Coast that currently relies on wood chips, as part of a broader push to diversify domestic energy inputs and reduce diesel imports.
The tourism sector, which accounts for a large share of foreign exchange earnings and is sensitive to fuel price shocks, is expected to be a central beneficiary. Gavoka said many resorts have already invested in rooftop solar and hybrid systems, and that the heightened global volatility should prompt wider and faster adoption across hotels and ancillary tourism services. The ministry plans to couple technical guidance with incentives — though the exact mix of subsidies, financing or regulatory changes is yet to be disclosed.
The announcement follows a string of recent government moves to lock in climate and energy resilience. In December 2025 the Reserve Bank and government launched Fiji’s first green finance taxonomy to steer capital toward qualified low‑carbon projects, a framework intended to help mobilise private finance for energy and transport transitions. Finance officials have also been monitoring global oil shocks and signalled readiness earlier this year to adjust fiscal strategies if international fuel prices threaten domestic stability.
Analysts say the timing of the plan reflects both immediate geopolitical pressures and longer‑term climate priorities. By combining upgraded use of sugar industry by‑products, assessments of existing biomass plants and accelerated private sector uptake of solar, Fiji aims to reduce import dependency while meeting sustainability commitments. How quickly those measures can be implemented will depend on financing arrangements, technical upgrades at aging facilities and coordination between national ministries, utility operators and tourism businesses.
Government sources indicate the plan will be published in the coming weeks with further detail on funding mechanisms and timelines. For an island nation where energy costs directly affect household budgets and the competitiveness of the tourism industry, the proposed pivot toward maximising domestic renewable resources represents the latest development in Fiji’s strategy to weather international energy shocks while pursuing sustainable growth.
Leave a comment