RUP Investments PTE Limited, known for its retail brand Rups Big Bear, is making significant strides in the realm of commercial solar energy in Fiji, aiming to lead in corporate sustainability and renewable energy. With a diversified business portfolio that includes property, forestry, manufacturing, and tourism alongside retail, the company is expanding its solar capabilities to reach a total of 1.5 MW.
Company director Javeer Rup shared that their solar initiative, which has reached approximately 500 kW of on-grid solar power, is just the beginning of a broader sustainability strategy. This year, the company is set to enhance its solar capacity across various Rups Big Bear locations, having recently completed installations in Sigatoka, Tavua, and two outlets in Ba.
RUP Investments has distinguished itself as one of Fiji’s premier private-sector solar investors, boasting over 500 kW of grid-connected solar energy across 11 sites, including retail shops, warehouses, and industrial facilities. This portfolio is expected to cut carbon emissions by more than 600 tonnes annually, a contribution likened to planting 30,000 trees, thereby making a tangible environmental impact for communities.
In a groundbreaking move, the company became the first in Fiji to power a sawmill with on-grid solar energy, showcasing the practicality and efficiency of large-scale solar deployment and aligning with Fiji’s national objectives for carbon reduction and net-zero goals. Managing over 700 acres of sustainably managed forest in Navua, Rup Investments has earned recognition as the Ministry of Forestry’s Top Sawmill in the Central Division for 2024.
The state-of-the-art sawmill in Navua employs over 40 full-time forestry staff and holds a unique license with Fiji Hardwood Corporation to process their sawn logs. Javeer Rup emphasized the company’s vision to ensure that every Rups Big Bear store and facility operates sustainably, providing reliable energy for staff and customers.
Expanding the solar portfolio is just the first step in RUP Investments’ commitment to fostering a cleaner and greener Fiji, with their solar investment promising to lower carbon emissions, reduce operational costs, and serve as a benchmark for environmental stewardship in Fiji’s corporate sector. By proving that commercial solar energy is not only feasible but impactful, RUP Investments hopes to inspire other businesses in Fiji to adopt renewable solutions, reinforcing the country’s sustainability commitments. This initiative stands as a testament to the vital role private sector leadership plays in advancing Fiji’s sustainable energy transition.
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