Fiji is working with the Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation of the United States of America on a plan to provide solar en­ergy to communities around the country.

Details were disclosed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama when delivering his statement at the Founding Conference of the In­ternational Solar Alliance (ISA) at New Delhi, India yesterday

“In Fiji, we are working with the Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation of the United States on a plan to pro­vide solar energy to communities that currently rely on fossil fuel or cannot be connected with the na­tional grid in the medium to long term,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“And I salute this great actor and humanitarian for lighting up the lives of others by harnessing the sun’s energy.”

He said the economic value of solar was improving all the time. At a utility scale- on rooftops and in conjunction with batteries and electric vehicles, solar power offers a bright, sustainable future for all our people.

“Solar and storage is increasingly both cheaper and cleaner than die­sel generators and more reliable than the grid,” Mr Bainimarama said,

“It could be deployed more rapidly to those who do not have access to power than by extending the grid.”

On present trends, he adds it is likely to be the dominant electric power source this century.

“And it is a vital part of the mix if we are to meet the 1.5 degree target we set ourselves in Paris and is the signature of Fiji’s Presidency of COP23.”

He thanked the Governments of India and France for their empha­sis on innovation as the way for­ward.

And for the global leadership, they had demonstrated by establishing the International Solar Alliance.

As COP23 President, he also ac­knowledged and thanked Indian Prime Minister Modi and President of France President Emmanuel Macron for their personal leader­ship and the global example they were setting for decisive climate action.

Edited by Percy Kean

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