Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) has established an ambitious goal to deliver clean and affordable energy, aiming for at least 90 percent of its energy needs to be sourced from renewable resources by the year 2035.
Acting Chief Executive Bobby Naimawi announced that EFL is in the process of identifying and developing numerous sustainable and economically viable projects to reach this target. One key initiative is the Namosi Hydro-electric scheme project, which is currently undergoing a feasibility study.
Previous assessments indicated that multiple small hydro-electric schemes could be developed in the Namosi region, and EFL plans to build upon this earlier research. Naimawi mentioned that the next steps will depend on the study’s viability assessment. The feasibility study is examining three potential hydro-power sites in Namosi, along with the necessary high-voltage power evacuation infrastructure to connect to major electricity demand centers.
The feasibility study will evaluate the technical viability, financial prudence, and the environmental and social implications of the proposed hydro-power stations and related infrastructure. Commencing in 2024, this study is anticipated to take up to two years to complete and will occur in two phases:
Phase 1 involves scoping and options analysis, assessing various project scenarios and configurations. Phase 2 will focus on a shortlist of project options, culminating in detailed technical, environmental, and social evaluations.
The study aims to determine the potential impacts of the hydro-power scheme according to international standards and best practices, including evaluating social and economic advantages. Naimawi emphasized that the feasibility study will be designed to avoid the inundation of inhabited or culturally significant areas and to prevent the relocation of existing settlements due to any past or future hydro-power projects.
Consultants funded by development partners are conducting the feasibility study and are actively engaging with key stakeholders to gather input from those potentially affected before advancing with any projects. Naimawi remarked that the findings from this feasibility study will play a crucial role in shaping Fiji’s renewable energy strategy in alignment with the National Development Plan.