A new assessment by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has flagged legal and regulatory shortcomings that could slow Fiji’s push to reach 100 percent renewable electricity by 2036 and net-zero emissions by 2050. The report, “Fiji: Assessment of legislative and regulatory frameworks for a just and inclusive energy transition,” says Fiji has shown “strong ambition” but needs faster deployment of renewables and a clearer investment environment to meet its targets.
IRENA’s analysis, prepared with the Fiji Department of Energy under the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative, examined the laws and institutions that govern grid-connected electricity generation, transmission and supply. It found gaps in existing legislation and institutional arrangements that risk delaying renewable projects and discouraging private investment, including from independent power producers. The agency says continued reliance on imported fossil fuels underscores the urgency of reforms.
The assessment provides a snapshot of Fiji’s current renewable capacity at about 226 megawatts, with hydropower accounting for 61 percent, bioenergy 29 percent, and solar and wind contributing roughly 5 percent each. While those assets form a foundation for the transition, IRENA warns that the slow pace of new deployments and an investment climate complicated by regulatory uncertainty could undermine the country’s objectives.
To address those barriers, the report recommends a package of short-, medium- and long-term reforms. Key suggestions include streamlining approval processes for renewable energy projects to cut delays, strengthening regulatory oversight to provide clearer roles and responsibilities, and updating the Electricity Act so it aligns with Fiji’s national climate and energy policies. IRENA argues these changes would make project timelines more predictable and improve investor confidence.
“This report examines the legal and regulatory conditions shaping Fiji’s electricity sector and identifies gaps that are limiting the pace and scale of renewable energy deployment,” IRENA Director‑General Francesco La Camera said, stressing the need to create an enabling environment that attracts private sector participation. The agency’s recommendations are aimed at removing procedural hurdles and clarifying the framework that governs new generation, transmission access and power purchase arrangements.
Fiji’s Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau, described the analysis as “a pivotal step in our energy transition journey,” saying it “identifies existing barriers and offers practical recommendations to unlock greater private sector investment and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions.” The government faces the task of translating those recommendations into legislative and regulatory changes to meet its 2036 and 2050 targets.
The report concludes that overhauling Fiji’s energy-sector framework could accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels while strengthening investor confidence and public–private collaboration. As the latest development in Fiji’s climate and energy policy, the IRENA assessment places a spotlight on where legal reforms are needed most and sets a roadmap that, if acted upon, could help scale up the country’s renewable pipeline ahead of its national deadlines.
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