Renewable Energy Hybrid Power Systems

This project is intended to set up a commercial Rural Energy Service Company (ESCO) that charges a fee for the electricity supplied to the consumers as a sustainable institutional framework to operate the renewable energy system in Nabouwalu, for replication in other parts of Fiji. The commercial operation of the renewable-energy-based Rural ESCO is expected to reduce the operation and maintenance costs, mobilize more funding for rural electrification, thereby promoting widespread utilization of renewable energy in Fiji. The operational experience from Nabouwalu renewable energy hybrid system demonstrates that such a renewable system is technically viable, and can reduce diesel consumption by 80%. However, the widespread adoption and operation of such a renewable power system is hindered by institutional, economic, financial, and informational barriers. This project, in line with GEF Operational Programmed No. 6, will remove these barriers, thereby leading to wide-scale commercial operation of renewable energy systems to replace current diesel generators in the government stations and provide electric power service to the 900 unelectrified villages. The result will be a reduction in diesel imports for rural electrification and a reduction in Fiji’s CO2 emissions.