Fiji fuel crunch drives villages toward solar power

Rising energy costs in Fiji are pushing some villagers toward solar power as the island nation tries to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels.

In Rukurukulevu Village, a settlement of about 400 people, the last building was connected to electricity this year. But residents say bills are difficult to manage. Village spokesman Vereniki Nalio said some homes receive monthly bills of more than FJ$100, while the church, community halls and church minister's house can face bills of about FJ$200 to FJ$300.

Nalio said the global energy squeeze after slowed Gulf fuel shipments had led villagers to think more seriously about renewables. Some homes in the village already have solar panels, and he said the community hopes to install panels on shared buildings to cut costs.

Fiji hosted this month's pre-COP United Nations climate summit, where Pacific Island nations called for faster access to climate financing for projects such as renewable energy. A major power outage during the event highlighted the country's energy challenges.

Government minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau blamed Fiji's rising energy prices on dependence on fossil fuels and El Nino. He said the strong climate phenomenon has brought weather patterns that are drying up hydroelectric dams. If rain does not increase by mid-November, he said Fiji could face water and power rationing in about four weeks.

Tuisawau said Fiji spends as much as 12% of its GDP on fossil fuel imports. The country aims to generate 90% of its energy from renewables by 2035 and plans to spend FJ$2 billion over the next decade on solar and hydropower development, including at least FJ$460 million on solar farms in the next four years.