Fiji Islands

Fiji Government formally requested PIEPSAP support in developing a national energy policy and plan.

Request from Fiji Department of Energy for PIEPSAP support specifically is as follows:

(i) Development of energy policy framework that encompasses petroleum products, power, transport, energy conservation, rural electrification, environmental and social aspects and linkages to other sectors;
(ii) Establish consultation with all relevant stakeholder in public and private sectors; and
(iii) Assist the Government of Fiji in accessing additional funding such as CDM for the implementation of the energy policy and the work programs.

The Government of Fiji also requested PIEPSAP to conduct a review of FEA's functions as a regulator in electricity industry. The assignment will be part of PIEPSAP's support to the Government of Fiji in developing a national energy policy and plan.

The Fiji TOR agreement has been finalized and implementation began January 2005.
Download PIEPSAP Work Programme - Fiji

An initial Fiji task force meeting for Energy Policy Development & Review of FEA's Regulatory Role was held on 21 January 2005. To assist in information exchange and efficient communication within the Fiji Task Force team a mailing list for the group has been established. A second draft of energy policy is currently under process. For more information on the mailing list visit the following link: PIEPSAP-Fiji Mailing List

Based on a consultative process involving a number of government and non governmental organizations PIEPSAP developed a first draft National Energy Policy Document. Currently, PIEPSAP awaits government decisions on the regulatory review and on a biofuel programme to further refine the National Energy Policy. Download Draft National Energy Policy Statement

Quotations were requested from parties that were willing and able to undertake the services as specified in the FEA Review - Terms of Reference (TOR). Download Terms of Reference. The Maunsell Limited was selected and the consultant - Mr David Mayo, Power Utility Specialist initiated his work from 17 February to late April 2005.

The regulatory review of electricity sector has been performed using a consultative process and the recommendations on improvement of regulatory framework has been developed. Issues to be addressed include the regulation of planning processes and the creation of a level playing field for IPP.

Download Presentation - Regulatory Function in Fiji's Electricity Sector Note: Posting of the Final Report on the web has not yet been cleared by Fiji Department of Energy for public viewing.

The Energy Adviser, Mr Anare Matakiviti carried out capacity building - SWOT Analysis Training, Fiji Department of Energy, 17 May 2005.

Download Report of the SWOT Analysis Training

Human Resource Development
A Graduate Assistant scholarship, funded jointly by the University of the South Pacific, Chemistry Departmentexternal link and SOPAC through PIEPSAP project, has been made available to carry out a Master of Science (MSc.) study during 1 year. The MSC project purpose is to identify the most appropriate way to produce standardised biodiesel in Fiji. The selected student, Ms. Radhika Singh will be working from April 1st 2005 until July 2006 on the identification of the most viable way to make biodiesel with locally available substances. For more information please visit Biodiesel Research.

Hydro Development Ltd is a special purpose company in which landowners of hydropower sites hold shares together with local leaders and a private sector company. Upon request of this company a prefeasibility report on an IPP hydro project in the Namosi area has been reviewed.

Download Review of Hydro Development Ltd Proposal for the IPP Project Namado, Wairokodra, Waisoi, Waivaka, and Wainikovou, October 2005

Support to Drawa village sustainable electrification in cooperation with GTZ/SPC and assistance in the development of national biofuel strategy.

Download Field Visit Report - Biogas Plant Installation in Fiji

PIEPSAP carried out assessment on behalf of the World Bank Team working on a Biomass Master Plan for Power Generation for the Fiji Electricity Authority.

Following request by the Fiji government to carry out feasibility study of the Rotuma Biofuel Project, Mr Zieroth and Mr Forstreuter, GIS/RS Specialist carried out field work on electrification study for Rotuma from 19 July - 2 August 2006. The Rotuma Island Council formally requested further assistance with comprehensive on site wind resource measurement. PIEPSAP has procured a wind measuring mast for Rotuma and setup as of June 2007. Wind monitoring continuing on Rotuma

The Fiji cabinet endorsed the Fiji National Energy Policy and Strategic Plan in November 2006 after two years of extensive, PIEPSAP supported consultations that included stakeholders from government, utilities, private sector and civil society.

Improving the Utilization of Coconut Resources in Rotuma:
The feasibility study prepared by Gerhard Zieroth with Leba Gaunavinaka and Wolf Forstreuter presented here has multiple objectives. Firstly, the feasibility of an electrification project using locally produced biofuel is to be comprehensively assessed including technical, economic, socioeconomic, environmental and institutional aspects. Secondly, the study aims at establishing a model for such assessments while a number of similar project concepts are currently being contemplated in Pacific Island Countries (PIC). A third objective of the model study relates to the test and demonstration of state of the art Remote Sensing and GIS technology in resource assessments and infrastructure planning. The study shows that at current supply cost for diesel fuel the benefits of using clean locally produced coconut oil as a substitute fuel outweigh the cost. As a next step PIEPSAP will support a pilot project that extracts coconut oil using a mini oil mill. The oil will be tested in a variety of applications including generators and vehicles. Biofuel resource assessment and feasibility study for sustainable electrification of Rotuma finalized and published.
Download Final Report - Biofuel from Coconut Resources in Rotuma, September 2007

PIEPSAP also contributed to a PhD study on the modelling of a sustainable enery supply for Rotuma by Dr. Andy Hamm


Rotuma- Media Coverage Biofuel Article by Gerhard Zieroth.

MoU on biofuel pilot project concluded with the community of Motusa. Pilot oil extraction facility designed and equipment ordered and shipped to Rotuma. Installation of the oil mill envisaged for second quarter 2008

PIEPSAP provided technical assistance support for education sector programme including design and specifications of PV systems for disadvantaged schools. Funding of F$2.4 million for equipment, etc provided by EU



For more information on Fiji please visit the following website: Fiji Mapserver



For more information please contact:

Gerhard Zieroth

Project Leader PIEPSAP Project ---