Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) is currently negotiating with FIJI Water, an American artesian water bottler, to provide renewable energy from a solar farm that the company intends to establish at its Yaqara site. This information was disclosed by EFL chairman Rokoseru Nabalarua during a panel discussion at the Fiji-Australia and Australia-Fiji Business Councils Joint Forum in Suva last month. He emphasized EFL’s ambition to achieve a power generation mix of 90 percent renewable energy and 10 percent fossil fuels by 2035, stating that EFL requires collaboration with other companies, including FIJI Water, to achieve that goal.
Nabalarua noted that FIJI Water has plans to harness solar energy and that Yaqara is one of the most optimal locations in Fiji for sunlight. He mentioned that EFL has requested FIJI Water to maximize their solar development and assured them that EFL would manage the infrastructure needed to support the energy supply, explaining that they could enhance capacity to meet daytime energy needs while EFL would supply energy at night.
While EFL runs the national power grid, Fiji’s power production sector is open to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) who can supply electricity to EFL through Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs). EFL currently holds agreements with companies such as Fiji Sugar Corporation, Tropik Wood Industries, and Nabou Green Energy Ltd.
Additionally, Nabalarua revealed that EFL is exploring partnerships with various technology providers, focusing on geothermal energy with hydrogen as well as solar energy with hydrogen. This approach aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
According to EFL’s recently released 2023 Annual Report, the three IPPs accounted for 6.79 percent of total electricity production, while hydroelectric plants contributed 48.11 percent, and wind power made up 0.01 percent. This results in a total energy production mix of 54.91 percent renewable energy and 45.09 percent fossil fuels.