WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY Policy to facilitate transition
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THE key objective of the 2023-2030 National Energy Policy is to facilitate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, says Director for Energy Mikaele Belena.
Mr Belena said the transition would take time, and more research is needed on the new technologies that can transform hydropower into electricity.
“At the moment, looking at our supply, we’re pretty much relying on hydropower,” he said.
“We just need to have the technology, solar technology, to transform that into electricity supply.”
He said at the moment, Fiji was sitting at around 55 per cent renewable, with a current target of 100 per cent by 2036.
“The transition will take time,” Mr Belena said.
“We have implemented strategies where we are going to look at the different types of technologies available, and with the funding support that will allow us to achieve the target.
“It will be in the billions of dollars to achieve that. I think it’s around $2.4billion for us to achieve that transition.
“So, very briefly, the cost as I have mentioned is a very capital-intensive transition.”
Mr Belena said the Government was also looking at the transportation aspect where new technologies were being researched to obtain clean energy, such as the introduction of electric vehicles.
“These electric vehicles will require the setting up of infrastructure, including charging stations and grid transmission network.
“An estimated policy investment of $2.4b will be required to ensure 100 per cent of all vehicles on the roads are electric vehicles, including smart meters, charging stations, and grid tuning that will amount to an additional $13b by 2050.”