The Future of Affordable and Reliable Energy in Fiji

How does Fiji’s lack of electricity impact small cities and rural villages?

• Education: A student’s ability to complete his studies and chores after school and before nightfall is a challenge.
• Household Management: A parent’s ability to manage the daily family routine such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, and laundry take exponentially longer to complete without electric powered appliances.
• Commerce: A tradesperson’s ability to complete her craft or provide services is more challenging without access to reliable and affordable electricity.
• Healthcare: Medical professionals and facilities need to sanitize tools and have access to medication refrigeration, at a minimum, to treat and prevent the spread of illness.
• Tourism: Hotels and resorts are a major economic driver for the popular island destination of Fiji, which hosts 815,000 visitors annually. Guests expect comfortable accommodations with access to temperature-controlled rooms, hot water and electricity to power their personal electronics (phones, computers, beauty appliances.)

While it’s possible to live without electricity, it isn’t the most desirable circumstance for villagers in Fiji. The most common alternative is to use diesel generators to produce electricity. Unfortunately, they are fueled by expensive, difficult to obtain and CO2-emitting fossil fuels. A more convenient, but dangerous option, is a kerosene lantern to provide needed light, which often emits undesirable fumes. Non-rechargeable batteries are not much better, as they also create an environmental disposal hazard.

Sustainable, green, renewable energy technologies are the answer.

Why would rural areas want to pursue renewable energy?

• Reliability: Studies have shown that renewable energy is as, or more, reliable than traditional fossil fuel sources.
• Abundant: Remote villages have plentiful access to energy sources such as the sun, wind and water.
• Accessible & Flexible: Complex and costly infrastructure upgrades prevent access to utility-generated power. Off-grid Independent Power Producers (IPP), microgrids, battery storage and hybrid solutions provide access to power almost anywhere. Power generation solutions can be combined to provide flexible options, as needed.
• Sustainable: Renewable energy also has less of an impact on the fragile island-based ecosystems. Without harmful CO2 emissions, it is safe for the local and global environments.
• Affordable: The cost of operating renewable energy technology is often less than the cost of using traditional fossil fuels for electricity.

The benefits above make renewable energy an attractive option as a power generation solution for businesses and villages alike.

Seeing this potential, the government of Fiji has committed to an aggressive goal for the country to be 99% reliant on renewable energy sources by 2030! This is an impressive example for other countries to follow as they, too, seek reliable and affordable energy options.

What renewable energy options are feasible in Fiji?

There are four types of renewable energy technology that are generally available to Small Island Developing States (SIDS):  

• Solar photovoltaic (PV) – This type of system produces electricity from the sun, which can be tied to the utility grid or operated independently, replacing diesel-generators.
• Wind power – A wind turbine is used to turn a rotor blade that drives a shaft to a generator to yield power.
• Tidal power – Tidal energy is a specific form of hydropower that harnesses ocean tides to generate power.

How can VES help power Fiji sustainably?

Vision Energy Solutions (VES) generates power sustainably anywhere it is needed – Urban environments and on remote islands, at resorts and manufacturing plants, in medical facilities and business offices.

The world power supply is going through a process of fundamental change. Critical issues do not just concern how and when we are going to produce electricity, but also where and how we will use it.

Redundant energy production sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV), wind power, hydropower, and generators combined with powerful storage systems, guarantee reliable and stable electricity 24/7. In terms of energy production, Intelligent Management Systems (IMS) make sure preference is given to renewable energy and battery storage. Fossil fuels are only used when absolutely necessary.

Under normal circumstances, VES is able to safely supply energy at all times. Every VES system is designed according to the customer’s individual requirements, needs and location. Compiling the world’s best individual components, without being tied to a single manufacturer, offers benefits when it comes to costs and makes sure that the best and most suitable technology is used.

Contact us today to discuss your specific situation.