ALM UNDP

Summary:

The project (Fiji: Promoting Sustainability of Renewable Energy Technologies and Renewable Energy Service Companies), hereinafter referred to as the Fiji RE Project, is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-supported project aimed at removing barriers to the implementation of renewable energy systems for rural electrification in Fiji and began in 2000.

Under this project, a regulatory framework was developed to provide the legal and economic guidelines required for the establishment of sustainable renewable energy service companies (RESCOs) for the rural sector and create an in-country capacity to provide more reliable and sustainable renewable energy services to Fiji’s rural sector.

The costs of electricity production from RE systems were estimated, and the tariffs to be charged to rural consumers were established. Part of the project was a demonstration of the application of the RESCO delivery mechanism in a selected RE-based electrification system. Technical and business skills training for employees of entities identified as potential RESCOs were conducted, financing sources were assessed and a business plan was prepared for expansion of RE-based rural electrification. During the course of project implementation, several mid-course adjustments on the project were made, such as the replacement of the Nabouwalu Hybrid Power Plant to the Vunivau SHS Project as the project’s RESCO demonstration piece. Based on the findings of the mid-term review, and the evaluation of the reports that were prepared and submitted by the project consultants, several gaps have been identified.

To address these gaps, supplementary activities were carried out to: (1) strengthen the achievement of; and, (2) realize, the relevant objectives and indicators of the project.

Objectives:

1. To develop an effective government – adopted institutional and management policy framework, that is in place for RESCOs to have a major role in renewable energy-based rural electrification,

2. To have one RESCO selected to operate the Nabouwalu hybrid system and other villages with solar lighting system,

3. To increase information and awareness of renewable energy systems,

4. To improve in-country capabilities in all technical and business aspects related to renewable energy systems for the rural sector,

5. To improve the assessment of renewable energy resources.