The People’s Alliance Party (PAP) has attributed the recent pressures to raise electricity prices to decisions made by former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the previous FijiFirst Government. In a statement, PAP General Secretary Sila Balawa criticized Sayed-Khaiyum’s long-winded explanations regarding electricity tariffs, asserting that they neglected his contributions to the current challenges faced by consumers.
Balawa emphasized that the financial pressure for increased prices is a direct consequence of Sayed-Khaiyum’s decisions during his tenure. He highlighted the 2021 sale of 44 percent of Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) to the Japanese company Chugoku for approximately $1.25 billion, which fundamentally transformed EFL from a public service to a profit-driven entity. This shift, he noted, established a demand for higher revenue that was inherent to the system Sayed-Khaiyum facilitated.
According to EFL’s submission to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), there is a proposed 32 percent increase in electricity tariffs over the next four years, driven by insufficient current tariffs to support investment needs amidst a growing electricity demand of about four percent annually. Balawa projected that around $4.3 billion in new investments will be necessary by 2031, including $1.4 billion for upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Highlighting the absence of tariff increases since 2019, Balawa pointed out that EFL’s operating costs and asset base have continued to expand, resulting in unavoidable financial pressures. He criticized Sayed-Khaiyum for emphasizing regulation and transparency now, suggesting that the public had not been adequately consulted when near half of EFL was sold to a foreign investor.
While the PAP supports the FCCC’s legal obligation to consult the public, Balawa insisted that it is misleading to place the blame solely on the FCCC or the current Coalition Government. He argued that the framework necessary for prioritizing shareholder returns over public affordability was created by Sayed-Khaiyum.
Balawa concluded by reaffirming the PAP’s commitment to advocating for the interests of ordinary Fijians and articulating that the present administration is responsibly allowing for public consultation—unlike the prior government. The situation represents a significant moment for public engagement in Fiji’s energy sector and could pave the way for more accountable governance.
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