The Fiji Electricity Authority is planning to construct a diesel power station in Taveuni to complement electricity supply from the Somosomo mini hydro plant.

This was highlighted by FEA chief executive officer Hasmukh Patel while making submissions on their annual report before the Public Accounts Committee at Parliament yesterday.

Mr Patel was responding to questions from the PAC on the progress of the works on the Somosomo mini-hydro plant in Taveuni.

“The Fiji Electricity Authority, who have been given the responsibility of running that power plant and running the electricity operations in Taveuni, we have decided to establish a fossil fuel diesel power plant as well.

“As we are all aware, the Chinese government has constructed a mini-hydro plant in Somosomo which is rated at around 750 to 800 kilo watts,” he said.

Mr Patel said the $15million mini hydro plant supply could not solely supply electricity year around to several customers in Taveuni as it was on the run-of-the-river scheme.

The Public Accounts Committee has also planned a one-day excursion to visit the FEA sites in Nadarivatu, including their head office in Suva.

Meanwhile, Mr Patel said that selling Government FEA shares would allow the people to benefit from them, Mr Patel said.

“So ultimately, the whole purpose of this exercise is that Fiji and the people benefit. When this process takes place, there’ll be moms and dads that can buy shares in this company,” he said.

Mr Patel said this while making submissions on their annual report before the Public Accounts Committee at Parliament yesterday.

He was responding to questions posed by Committee member Ratu Sela Nanovo on the reasons why Government was considering selling its FEA shares when the company’s performance was satisfactory.

Mr Patel said the selling of their shares, which was still in progress, would have many benefits not only for FEA but for all Fijians.

“If you look at it historically, electricity utilities throughout the world were state-owned because it is very capital intensive but over the years you see electricity companies throughout the world have been corporatised and privatised,” he said.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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