Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) is set to add 100MW of power to its grid through a partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which recently announced the development of a series of renewable energy projects. The agreement represents a significant advance for EFL, which aims to fulfill over 90 percent of Fiji’s electricity demand using renewable sources by the year 2035.
Among the proposed initiatives is the use of floating solar technology, which the ADB has identified as a particularly appealing option. Siddhartha Shah, the director of the Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership, stated that the ADB will act as an advisor to EFL in the creation of a renewable energy program that could reach up to 100MW.
In addition to floating solar, they’re exploring various alternatives, including batteries, wind energy, biomass, and other emerging technologies. EFL chair Rokoseru Nabalarua noted a substantial increase in electricity demand, growing by 10 percent this year alone—double the typical annual growth rate of 4 percent—which he attributes to rising economic activity.
Nabalarua emphasized the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy and developing a strong portfolio of sustainable projects to guarantee a steady supply. While the specifics of the renewable energy portfolio are still under wraps, the anticipated timeline for the initial project delivery is between 12 to 18 months. Shah expressed optimism about launching the procurement process for these projects next year, with the aim of bringing several online within the next two to three years, depending on the technology used.
Once completed, EFL’s renewable energy projects will exceed the output capacity of the Monasavu project, which currently stands at 80MW.