An electric car of the company Tesla is charged at a charging station on a parking lot in Cologne, Germany, in June 2023. Photo: Horst Galuschka / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP
Fiji has launched its national energy policy but it comes with warnings for the path ahead.
Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Vatimi Rayalu presented the report, which was endorsed by Cabinet last May, on Friday.
He said it supports their Cop commitments, signalling the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era, by facilitating a swift, just and equitable transition.
"This is underpinned by deep emmission cuts and scaled-up finance, with the over-arching aim of keeping the global temperature limit of 1.5 degrees centigrade (Celsius) within reach," Rayalu said.
The policy has five pillars: energy security and resilience, access and equity, sustainability, efficency and governance.
But he warned the nation's path to renewable energy is not an easy one, saying Fiji's energy transition will be capital intensive and complex.
Based on projections from the SDG7 roadmap, the Low Emissions Development Strategy and the National Infrastructure Development Plan, the electricity sector alone will require at least FJ$3.9 billion (US $1.7b) between 2023 and 2036 to achieve the 100 percent renewable energy target, Rayalu said.
Rayalu said Fiji imports more than 88 percent of its primary energy supply, dominated by its transport sector.
Bringing in electric vehicles is set to cost billions.
"An estimated policy investment of FJ$2.4b (US$1.05b) will be required to ensure 100 percent of all vehicles on the road are electric vehicles," he said.
"Infrastructure developments to support EVs, including grid tuning, smart metres (and) charging stations will require an additional FJ$13b (US$5.7b) by 2050."
Rayalu said there is also a need for affordability, and the government remains steadfast in its plan of providing 100 percent access to electricity for the whole population by 2026.