Solar boost for Labasa printing business as Climate Donor grant cuts costs and upgrades service
A $3,000 Climate Donor grant is helping Pillay’s Printing Press in Tuatua, Labasa, install solar power and restock supplies, reducing costs and improving service delivery for local customers.
Emmanuel Pillay, who runs the Labasa-based printing shop with more than 18 years of industry experience, started his business in 2020 after his previous workplace closed in 2015 and the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped demand in Vanua Levu. He found out about the Climate Donor grant through social media and successfully secured funding to install solar panels and to refresh printing stocks. The solar system powers specialised lighting used to inspect prints for errors before production, a crucial step in ensuring high-quality results.
“I need strong lights to see clearly and make sure everything is perfect before we print in bulk,” Pillay said. “The solar panels help me get the lighting I need without the high electricity cost.”
The investment has slashed his electricity bill by more than 50 percent, enabling Pillay’s Printing Press to offer more competitive prices while maintaining quality. Pillay’s son, Enoch, who is 19 years old, assists with graphic design and shares his father’s interest in sustainability, underscoring that the business is a family affair.
The Climate Donor grant was facilitated through Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) and Business Link Pacific. BAF is inviting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises to participate in a business diagnostic program that provides assessments, recommendations, and strategies to support sustainable growth for local businesses.
Context and broader impact
Small and medium enterprises are widely recognized as a cornerstone of Fiji’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. In recent years, government and partner programs have aimed to bolster NSMEs, with initiatives such as grants for rural entrepreneurs under the Trade Enhancement Programme in Lamini Village, Taveuni, illustrating a broader commitment to empowering local businesses and promoting sustainable development in rural communities. This aligns with broader goals for sustainable growth and resilience across Fiji, including the push to support small businesses as essential contributors to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN SDGs.
What this means for the sector
Small grants like the Climate Donor initiative can have outsized impacts by enabling energy efficiency, stabilizing operating costs, and improving product quality. When paired with business diagnostics and ongoing support, such programs help micro and small enterprises scale up, improve competitiveness, and create local employment opportunities.
Summary
Pillay’s Printing Press demonstrates how targeted grants can unlock renewable energy adoption, drive cost savings, and enhance service delivery for a rural Fiji business. The move also reflects a growing ecosystem of support for NSMEs that aims to foster sustainable growth, resilience, and broader economic benefits in communities like Labasa and beyond.
Additional value and outlook
– This example highlights the potential for solar-powered operations to become a standard upgrade for small printing outfits and similar trades in rural Fiji, reducing reliance on expensive grid electricity.
– Consider pairing grants with basic solar maintenance training and potential access to affordable battery storage to further stabilize energy costs.
– Encouraging more MSMEs to engage with BAF and similar diagnostic programs could amplify the positive impact across sectors and regions.
Leave a comment