Project

Fiji Solar Project on Taveuni island

At a Glance

Strategic Outcomes
Start Date Q3  2016
End Date
Funding Source Bankable Project
Actual Budget (USD) 3,500,000
Budget Percentage %
Actual Expenditure (USD)
Status Active
GGGI Share (USD)
Poverty and Gender Policy Markers
Name of Client (Lead/Prime implementer if GGGI is part of a consortium)
Participating Organization (Funding/donor)
Name of consortium members, if any
Thematic Area
  • Sustainable Energy
GGGI Project Code :
Project Manager and Staff +
Katerina Syngellakis

Pacific Regional Director

Project Rationale

Fiji is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in which reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience of communities to the impacts of climate change is a high priority for the Government. Fiji’s energy sector is highly dependent on fossil fuels, with fossil fuel imports accounting for 25-30% of all imports, leaving it exposed to oil price increases and volatility. Electricity access is 82% in rural areas and 96% in urban areas. However, in rural areas access to electricity is often limited to a few hours per day.

Fiji has made commitments to renewable energy development in its Green Growth Framework and in its new five-year National Development Plan (NDP), and 20-year Strategic Vision. In its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Fijian Government made the commitment to achieve 100% electricity generation from renewables by 2035.

GGGI is supporting the Fijian Government and is working with Fiji’s Ministry of Economy, the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to develop a 1.55MW solar PV project on the island of Taveuni. The project aims to increase renewable energy generation on the island with benefits for green tourism development and increased energy security, as well as contributing to GHG emissions reduction. The project will bring the island to 65% renewable energy with the government aiming to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

Building on 2015-2016 work

GGGI assessed the investment and green growth potential of energy sector project concept notes developed in 2016, and prioritized two solar PV projects on the islands of Ovalau and Taveuni for further development. During the 1st quarter of 2017, GGGI completed a pre-feasibility study which investigated the possibility of achieving 100% renewable energy generation on Taveuni and Ovalau. Based on the findings of the study as well as on stakeholder consultations, the Government and GGGI agreed to adopt a phased approach, in which GGGI would support the Government to further develop the Taveuni solar PV project first, followed by Ovalau.

GGGI and KOICA signed a Letter of Intent in May 2017, indicating strong mutual interest in implementing the Taveuni solar PV project.

Delivery Strategy

PROJECT OUTPUTS FOR 2017-2018

  • Carry out a full feasibility study for a 1.5 MW solar PV project on Taveuni. The kick-off for the study was realized in November and the study will be finalized at the end of June 2018.
  • Prepare the tender documents for the solar plant.

PROJECT OUTCOMES FOR 2017-2018

  • Secure financial support for the project.

Planned Results

GGGI is currently conducting a full feasibility study for this project. The 1.55 MW solar PV project is the first of two phases required to achieve the target of 100% electricity generation from renewables in Taveuni. The current phase 1 will reach 65% and will be completed by 2020. GGGI will continue to support the Government of Fiji beyond this project to achieve the 100% target by 2030.

In the longer term the project will establish clean energy supply for households and businesses on Taveuni and reduce GHG emissions reduction estimated at 3,390 tCO2/year, thus contributing to the achievement of Fiji’s NDC.

GGGI hopes to replicate this type of project on other islands, such as Ovalau where GGGI is also supporting the Fijian Government in displacing diesel generation with solar energy.