Fiji needs more renewable energy sources: Sukanaivalu
May 15, 2008, 09:10

Although Fiji has started exploring renewable energy sources to generate electricity, there is a real need to do more to meet the increasing demand for electricity.

Interim Minister for Lands, Mineral Resources and Environment Netani Sukanaivalu made the comment at a workshop on renewable energy held at the Fiji Institute of Technology’s Raiwai Campus today (Wed 14 May).

Mr Sukanaivalu said the demand for electricity is growing at an alarming rate.

“With the current rate of demand for electricity, it is estimated that Fiji will need to construct a new hydroelectric scheme (water dam) every five years.”

In addition to this, the bill for electricity generation through diesel is approximately $112m with the demand growing at a rate of five percent per year.

The Minister said it would be impossible to construct new hydroelectric schemes every five years as there is no guarantee that funds will always be available. On top of this, providing electricity though diesel generation is becoming a very costly exercise.

“These are all the more reasons why renewable energy sources will need to be developed quickly,” he said.

The country’s electricity needs is currently being met through diesel (non-renewable energy) and hydroelectric schemes or water dams, which is a renewable energy source. Fiji currently generates about 110 megawatts of base load electricity, fifty per cent of which is supplied by hydroelectric schemes and the balance by diesel generation.



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