A current challenge faced by Fiji is obtaining reliable and credible data on the energy and transport sector, as well as data analysis, management, sharing and storage. Data is scattered and contained within different organizations each with their own protocols and priorities. As a first step, MoIT will assess data collection, management and storage and then bring together the key stakeholders for data relevant to the deployment and increase of electric vehicles and their impact on the energy infrastructure. Notably the grid electricity and land transport information currently contained within different software and locations will be collected and assessed for usage towards creating evidence-based policies and decisions.

The two project objectives are to i.) Carry out an “Energy and transport data Audit” for the energy (power sector, both off and on-grid, fuel consumption, etc.) and transport sector (both land and small-scale domestic maritime) including the identification of current data availability, data collection, flows, usage (by whom and for what) and an initial investigation into future power and transport sector data needs, particularly for the purpose of planning electrification of the transport sector and identifying gaps in the current data for this purpose ii.) Develop a localized analysis of the effects of EV adoption on the electricity grid on Viti Levu, Fiji and costed recommendations for development of infrastructure, and other related changes as needed to support the required infrastructure, which will be required to facilitate the levels of EV adoption defined in the LEDS scenarios.

The electric vehicle impact analysis will be limited to Viti Levu (the largest island in Fiji) and based on the EV adoption rates included the LEDS for passenger cars which are likely to be the largest and fastest growing sector. The work will support targets to reduce fossil fuel for transportation to around 22% of total final energy consumption by 2030 set in the Green Growth Framework (GGF) for Fiji, as well as the targets of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 set in Fiji’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2015. As a strategy towards becoming more energy independent Fiji is aiming to adopt the use of electric vehicles widely on its streets. However, the deployment of the relevant charging infrastructure, its impact on the energy sector, notably electricity generation is not yet fully explored although initial estimates are available in the LEDS. This project is aligned with IO1. Strengthened national, sub-national and local green growth planning, financing, and institutional frameworks, IO3. Improved multi-directional knowledge sharing and learning to empower local and external agents necessary to drive green growth processes in partner governments.

Impact: Reducing dependence on fossil fuels and reduced GHG emissions through strengthening effective decision making in the energy and transport sectors.

Outcome:

• Capacity and knowledge to assess energy development trends and future scenarios related to land transport electrification strengthened.

Project Outputs completed in 2019:

i. Green Growth Policies: N/A

Policy Assignments:

• Data audit and data management assessment for the energy and transport sectors with a view to information adoption of electric vehicles completed.
• Data management action plan for executing activities related to electrification of the transport sector completed.
• Electric vehicle impact on grid infrastructure study completed.

ii. Green Investments: N/A

iii. Capacity Building and Knowledge Products: N/A

• 2 Capacity building activities in the form of workshops (the capacity building activities were combined with two National Stakeholder consultations).

Project Manager: Katerina Syngellakis

Rosi Banuve, Ulaiasi Butukoro