$7m for New Renewable Energy Project on Taveuni

A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) signed between Fiji’s Ministry of Economy and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will soon see a major new renewable energy project in the country.

According to a Government statement, KOICA will provide $7 million for a solar energy installation for Taveuni Island.

This will complement and enhance the current hydropower plant and ensure that electricity generation on the island remains 100 per cent renewable for many years to come.

The project on Taveuni is part of Fiji’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation Roadmap and its recently-launched Low Emission Development Strategy.

“This new agreement between the Fijian Government and KOICA is another step towards implementation of our national target of 100 per cent renewable electricity and meeting our international commitment to the Paris Agreement to cut Fiji’s emissions by 30% by 2030,” Permanent Secretary of Economy, Makereta Konrote said.

The solar project on Taveuni will be implemented by Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL), in partnership with the Fijian Government and KOICA.

The KOICA funding will also provide technical assistance support directly to EFL to assist in implementation of the project once the feasibility study is complete.

Jihi Kim, Director of the KOICA Fiji Country Office said ever since KOICA Fiji Office reopened in 2016, they had been preparing for this first project with Fijian government.

“We are excited that we are now ready to move on to the implementation phase. KOICA acknowledges the significance of climate change in the Pacific, and delighted to support Fijian Government’s objectives in this area,” she said.

The new renewable energy project will also include a capacity building component to strengthen knowledge on green growth and renewables at the sub-national level and assist in integrating Fiji’s renewable energy targets and low emission pathway into provincial and community planning.

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Source: Fiji Times