Fiji
Fiji is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The capital of Fiji is Suva, and the country has a total area of 18,270 square kilometers. As of 2021, Fiji has a population of 924,610, with 42% living in rural areas. The country’s GDP is $4.3 billion USD, and the GDP per capita is $4,646.61 USD.
Access to Electricity (% of population):
In Fiji, 100% of the population has access to electricity as of 2020.
Energy Imports Net (% of energy use):
The country doesn’t have data available for its net energy imports as a percentage of energy use.
Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption (% of total):
In terms of energy consumption, Fiji doesn’t heavily rely on fossil fuels, as they only account for 0.00% of the total energy consumption in the country as of 2007.
Introduction
Fiji is a Small Island Developing State (SID) located in the South Pacific Ocean. It comprises of over 300 small islands and has a population of almost 900,000 (as of 2016). The majority of Fiji’s population reside on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua. Fiji is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning natural beauty, white sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters.
Fiji Energy Situation
Fiji is a Small Island Developing State (SID) with over 300 small islands and a population of almost 900,000 as of 2016. However, the geographical location of the country presents challenges in ensuring affordable and accessible energy supply. In 2015, the country had a total installed electricity generation capacity of 296 megawatts, with 94% operated by the Fiji National Electricity Authority. Out of this, 254 megawatts were grid connected, making it one of the main sources of energy for the island state.
Fiji heavily relies on imported fossil fuel to meet its energy needs, which poses a significant challenge due to the cost and accessibility of these resources. Nevertheless, renewable energy sources, primarily hydro, account for 55% of the country’s total energy production, indicating a shift towards sustainable energy sources.
Despite the increase in energy access rates in Fiji, about 4% of urban residents and nearly 20% of rural dwellers still lack electricity. Even areas with grid connection face high costs and inequalities within communities, which prevent some parts of the population from achieving reliable access to electricity.
Fiji’s Final Energy Consumption by Sector from 1990 to 2010 shows a shift towards sustainable energy sources and highlights the efforts made towards achieving sustainable energy and increasing access to energy.
Renewable Energy
Fiji has made significant strides towards renewable energy resources, with 55% of the country’s electricity generated from renewable energy sources in 2014, making it one of the Pacific’s lowest oil-dependent island states. The majority of Fiji’s electricity comes from hydro and biomass on larger islands, while Solar Home Systems (SHS) are used on smaller islands. With abundant natural resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, marine, biomass, and bio-fuel, the country has the potential to meet its domestic energy needs while also increasing energy access, decreasing electricity costs, and boosting energy independence. Hydro power currently dominates Fiji’s renewable energy mix, but diversifying the energy mix with other technologies like solar power could improve energy security. Solar PV and battery storage hybrid systems are also being considered to enhance the stability of the many existing mini-grids in the country.
Fossil Fuels
Fiji heavily relies on imported fossil fuels such as gasoline, oil and aviation turbine fuel, resulting in high energy prices and impacting the nation’s energy security. In 2016, fuel imports accounted for 16% of Fiji’s total national import bill, which amounted to US$346 million. The transport sector is the major consumer of fossil fuels in Fiji. This overreliance on fossil fuels increases Fiji’s vulnerability to price fluctuations and supply disruptions. As such, it highlights the importance of transitioning towards renewable energy sources to diversify the nation’s energy mix and enhance its energy independence.
Fuel Prices
If you’re interested in the latest fuel prices in Fiji, you can check out the Fiji Commerce Commission on Petroleum. They regularly update the maximum retail prices for fuels such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and cooking gas. It’s important to note that fuel prices in Fiji can be affected by various factors, including international oil prices and transportation costs due to the country’s remote island location. Keeping track of the latest fuel prices can help you plan your budget and expenses for your travels in Fiji.
Key Problems of the Energy Sector
Fiji’s energy sector faces several challenges related to institutional and policy frameworks, including overlaps in responsibilities and significant gaps in coordination, regulation, and oversight. The National Energy Policy of 2013 highlighted lack of coordination among public-sector institutions, absence of a designated institution for energy planning and policy development, inadequate sharing and management of energy information, non-transparent pricing mechanisms, and weak regulatory frameworks for private sector participation as key problems. These challenges have limited private investment in the sector due to a lack of clear regulatory frameworks and access to resource information, as well as weaknesses in the overall business climate.
Policy Framework, Laws and Regulations
Fiji’s government is actively promoting renewable energy sources and seeking partnerships to increase its renewable energy generation capacity and improve its transmission and distribution infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. The country has set a target of achieving 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030 and has policies in place to promote off-grid energy generation for rural areas, such as SHS, solar-powered water supply systems, solar water heating systems, and solar systems for schools and clinics.
The government’s commitment to addressing climate change is evident in its organization of the COP23 in 2017 and its recognition of the need to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels through renewable energy while increasing the efficiency of current fossil fuel supplies. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as overlaps in responsibilities and a lack of coordination, regulation, and oversight. The National Energy Policy has identified these issues and proposed solutions such as strict implementation of policies, improved coordination between agencies, and investments in new energy technologies like renewable-powered maritime transport and geothermal energy to achieve its target of 100% renewable electricity by 2030.