Fiji's energy consumption
Fiji, an archipelago nation located in the South Pacific, is making notable strides in energy consumption, particularly in the realm of renewable energy. With a population of approximately 929,766, the country has achieved a high electricity access rate, with 92 percent of households connected, though disparities remain between urban and rural areas. The primary energy sources for Fiji's grid include hydropower, which accounts for a significant portion, alongside diesel and oil imports. In an effort to transition towards sustainability, Fiji aims for all its power generation to come from renewable sources by 2030.
Several projects have been initiated to enhance renewable energy capacity, including the 40-megawatt Nadarivatu Hydropower station and the Butoni Wind Farm, which is among the largest in the Pacific. Additionally, the government is exploring biofuels derived from local agricultural by-products, further diversifying its energy portfolio. Fiji's National Energy Policy emphasizes energy efficiency and sustainability, alongside addressing energy affordability. Despite the ambitious goals and ongoing projects, challenges such as the small market size and climate change impacts highlight the complexity of achieving these energy targets. Overall, Fiji's commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency reflects a proactive approach to enhancing its energy landscape and reducing reliance on imported fuels.
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Fiji's energy consumption
Official Name: Republic of the Fiji Islands.
Summary: With its relative abundance of renewable energy sources, Fiji has been able to undertake a number of projects in renewables while equally emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency projects.
The Republic of the Fiji Islands is an archipelago country located to the east of Australia and to the north of New Zealand. Fiji comprises around 320 islands, of which 108 are inhabited. Of Fiji’s 929,766 people (as of 2022), about 30 percent are considered to live below the poverty line. In 2022, 92 percent of households had access to electricity; 97.6 of those in urban areas had electricity, while 86.8 of those in rural areas had electricity.
The main sources of grid-connected energy in Fiji are hydropower (60 megawatts) and as much as 40 percent is generated from diesel and oil, which is imported from suppliers in Singapore. The island has set a goal for all power to be generated by renewable sources by 2030.
In order to reach this goal, the Department of Energy (DOE) established the RE Development Program (REDP) to research the viability of renewable resources for electricity supply. However, this was mainly for small, off-grid installations. Additionally, the National Energy Policy was developed in 2006 to address RE, energy efficiency (EE), energy affordability, and environmental sustainability. A number of RE projects have consequently been undertaken in Fiji over the past few years.
One of them is the Fiji Nadarivatu Hydropower station, a 40-megawatt run-of-the-river project in a remote area of Viti Levu. The station has two vertical turbines that generate 103 gigwatts hours or electricity each year. Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity is a type of hydroelectric generation whereby the natural flow and elevation drop of a river are used to generate electricity. For large run-of-the-river hydroplants, a dam (smaller than used for traditional hydroplants) is required to ensure that there is enough water to enter the pipes that lead to the turbines. This environmentally friendly solution to meeting the country’s growing energy demand is also eligible for carbon financing under the clean development mechanism (CDM) established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the Kyoto Protocol. CDM projects allow for achieving sustainable development and contributing to the ultimate objective of preventing dangerous climate change. Under CDM, industrialized countries can meet some of their obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing certified emissions reductions from projects in developing countries.
To meet the growing electricity needs of the population sustainably, the Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) also supported the development of the 10-megawatt Butoni Wind Farm in 2005–07. One of the largest wind farms in the Pacific region, consisting of 37 275-kilowatt Vergnet tiltable wind turbines, which can be folded to the ground in the event of a cyclone. The wind farm has been required to utilize its anticyclonic mechanisms on at least three occasions since commissioning, demonstrating the benefit of this technology in a Pacific environment.
With regard to biofuels (solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels derived from relatively recently dead biological materials), the government decided to explore RE options from agricultural by-products such as coconut, sugarcane, and cassava for small installations, mainly in outer regions. A number of small-scale independent power producers (IPPs) are operating in Fiji within the biofuels area and provide clean power to the electricity grid.
A biofuel project was undertaken by the regional RE and EE project of the Asian Development Bank, funded by the Pacific Island Energy Policy and Strategic Action Planning project. The emphasis was put on coconuts, viewed as the best prospect to get away from fuel dependency while boosting the key coconut oil industry on the island of Rotuma.
Another major project is the Pacific RE and Microfinance project, initiated in 2009 with funds from the RE and EE Partnership (REEEP) and implemented by the Foundation for Development Cooperation, which was implemented in Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu. The core idea behind this project is to develop a loan portfolio for RE and EE equipment and to build commitment of microfinance institutions to provide loans for RE and EE products to poor people. The provision of energy will provide the opportunity to develop small businesses for developments that are below the level of IPP status.
In addition to their RE engagement, the DOE also undertakes aggressive EE measures. In addition to adopting the Minimum Energy Performance Standards and Labeling scheme for refrigerators and freezers, the Low-Carbon Tourism project, developed in 2009–10, funded by REEEP and implemented by Greenlight Technology Group, developed a mechanism of a coordinated approach for one of the most significant economic sectors of Fiji, tourism. A structured marketplace for EE and RE services and technologies within the tourism industry was developed, thus providing the sector with significant energy savings and cost reductions. Fiji's National Energy Policy 2023-2030 introduces an import tax on heavy fuel in 2024 with a goal of a complete ban by 2030.
In conclusion, Fiji’s situation with regard to RE and EE measures is both ambitious and promising. The policies adopted and projects undertaken in the last few years illustrate a concrete will to improve Fiji’s energy supply and reduce its reliance on imported fuel. However, its small geographical environment and market size make the effort challenging. Climate change also threatens the island's generation of renewable energy, as high temperatures and dry conditions reduce its water supply.
Bibliography
"Accelerating Renewable Energy in Fiji." Global Green Growth Initiative (GGGI), Arizona State University, 1 July 2024, gggi.org/accelerating-renewable-energy-in-fiji/. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.
"Increased Renewable Energy Implementation at the Top of the Agenda in the Pacific." Island Innovation, 15 Mar. 2024, islandinnovation.co/articles/increased-renewable-energy-implementation-at-the-top-of-the-agenda-in-the-pacific/. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.
"Renewable Energy." Fiji Country Community Guide, International Trade Administration, 23 Jan. 2024, www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/fiji-renewable-energy. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.