Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) is set to enhance its grid with an additional 100MW of power through a series of renewable energy projects being developed in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The official agreement was signed yesterday, marking a significant advancement for EFL, which aims to meet over 90 percent of Fiji’s electricity demand through renewable sources by the year 2035.
Among the promising projects under consideration is floating solar, deemed a “very attractive option” by ADB representatives. Siddhartha Shah, director of the Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership, stated that ADB will serve as an advisor, assisting EFL in the creation of a renewable energy program targeting the 100MW capacity.
The initiative will explore various possibilities including floating solar, battery storage, and other renewable energy technologies, along with wind and biomass solutions. EFL chair Rokoseru Nabalarua noted that electricity demand has surged by 10 percent this year, significantly surpassing the usual annual increase of four percent, a trend he attributed to growing economic activities.
This increase underscores the urgency for EFL to expedite its transition to renewable energy while also developing a diverse project portfolio to ensure a reliable supply. Although project details remain undisclosed, the timeline for initial project delivery is expected to be between 12 to 18 months.
Shah added that various factors may influence this timeline, but the aim is to initiate the procurement process for these projects next year. Depending on the chosen technologies, such as floating solar or battery systems, some projects could be operational within 12 to 18 months, with a broader expectation of seeing progress within the next two to three years. Once launched, EFL’s portfolio is anticipated to exceed the current output of Monasavu, which is 80MW.