Fiji Launches New Energy Policy to Reduce Fossil Fuels

Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Vatimi Rayalu said that Fiji imports more than 88 percent of its primary energy supply, with the transportation sector being the largest consumer.

The Fijian government has an ambitious target to derive 100 percent of electricity services from renewable energy sources by 2030, the minister said.

The new energy policy aims to increase the use of renewable energy sources, alternative fuels, and overall supply and demand efficiency.

Rayalu said the introduction of electric vehicles (EV) will require new infrastructure like charging stations. "An estimated policy investment of FJD 2.4 billion (about 1.1 billion U.S. dollars) will be required to ensure that 100 percent of all vehicles on the road are electric vehicles."

Infrastructure development to support EVs, including grid tuning, smart meters and charging stations, will require an additional 5.8 billion U.S. dollars by 2050, he added.

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