Fiji Airports has appointed CBS Power Solutions Fiji Ltd to deliver the first stage of a planned solar farm at Nadi International Airport, marking the latest development in the country’s push toward renewable energy and energy security. The contract, awarded after a competitive tender process, covers installation of a 3.25-megawatt ground-mounted system at the airport’s Namaka site — which Fiji Airports says will be the largest ground-mounted solar development in the nation.
Fiji Airports chief executive Mesake Nawari described the project as a strategic investment to reduce the airport’s reliance on traditional power sources and to improve the reliability of electricity supply as passenger and cargo operations expand. “As our operations continue to grow, we need infrastructure that can keep up with demand,” Nawari said, adding that the initiative is intended both to stabilise power for airport operations and to lower the airport’s carbon emissions.
CBS Power Solutions director Amit Singh said the company is aiming to commission the first-stage installation next year, and highlighted the project’s regional significance. He noted it will be the biggest solar project among ports in the Pacific region, reflecting growing interest across island states in harnessing solar to reduce exposure to global fuel price volatility and to strengthen local power resilience.
Fiji Airports estimates the 3.25MW system will offset a substantial portion of the airport’s electricity use during peak sun hours and deliver surplus output back into the national grid. Around 25 percent of excess generation is expected to be exported to the grid, according to the authority, extending benefits beyond the airport precinct to support broader energy supply in the Western Division.
The appointment also includes a capacity-building component: Fiji Airports technical staff will work alongside CBS Power Solutions experts during the first stage and receive hands-on training. The utility-focused training is intended to ensure local staff can operate and maintain the facility once commissioned, a key consideration in sustaining long-term benefits from the investment.
This development builds on national-level efforts to increase the share of renewables in Fiji’s energy mix. Government and energy sector stakeholders have repeatedly flagged the need to reduce dependence on imported fuels and to invest in solar, hydropower, batteries and transmission upgrades to curb price volatility and meet climate commitments. The Nadi Airport solar farm, as announced, directly supports those aims while addressing the specific operational needs of Fiji’s busiest international gateway.
Fiji Airports described the work as the first stage of its solar farm programme; details of subsequent stages, including total planned capacity and financing arrangements, were not disclosed in the statement. With commissioning targeted for next year, the project represents the most concrete near-term renewable energy investment announced for a major transport asset in Fiji to date.
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