Inauguration of Fiji Sustainable Energy Consortium (FSEC)

22 November 2019, Suva, Fiji. Today marks a historical moment for Fiji’s private sector players in the Sustainable Energy Industry to have their Consortium formally inaugurated- the Fiji Sustainable Energy Consortium (FSEC). The event being the 1^st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the FSEC took place at the Novotel Hotel in Lami, Fiji Islands on 22 November 2019 and was well attended by the senior representatives of some leading private energy companies in Fiji.

The 1^st AGM was pivotal in endorsing the i) FSEC Constitution, ii) the Executive Committee Members of FSEC, iii) the Membership Fees, iv) the logo of the FSEC and v) FSEC’s 1^st Year Annual Workplan. Mr Michael Valentine of MV Solar was voted the Chairperson of the FSEC for the next two years and it will be under his leadership that FSEC’s strategic plan for the next five years will be developed.

The meeting noted the leadership of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), SPC’s Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) and the Fiji Department of Energy (FDoE) in facilitating the establishment of the FSEC.

In giving out his official address at the meeting, Ambassador Solo Mara, Secretary General of the PIDF emphasised that “There is a need for close collaboration between government, the private sector and NGOs to create a socio-economic environment that enables business opportunities in the clean energy sector to flourish.” He further stressed that “The operationalisation and sustainability of the Fiji Sustainable Consortium will very much dependent on many important factors such as teamwork, genuine leadership and partnership.”

The welcome remarks was gracefully delivered by Mr Mikaele Belana, Director of FDoE. Mr Mikaele underscored in his welcoming remarks the need for ownership of this association by its members when he said: “There is the need for ownership of this young organisation by its members and the need to prove its value to its constituent members in responding to the member’s needs and interests”

Mr Michael Valentine, the newly elected chairperson of the FSEC delivered the closing remarks and thanked the members for putting their trust in him and he looks forward to working with everyone in an active collaborative manner.

The meeting closed off successfully with all its resolutions adopted. Going forward, the FSEC will now be formally registered under the Fiji Company’s Act as a recognised body. The PIDF and PCREEE will continue to provide some secretariat support to the FSEC at its infant stage until it is able to operate by its own.

Figure 1: FSEC Executive Committee

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