$42.8M disaster blow to Fiji’s power sector

Fiji’s power sector has suffered a staggering FJD $42.8 million in damages due to natural disasters over recent years.

This was revealed in the National Assestment of Fiscal Risks in Critical Infrastructure Sectors Report.

The National Level Assessment of Fiscal Risks in Critical Infrastructure Report, launched in Suva today, outlines the growing financial toll of cyclones and extreme weather on the country’s energy systems.

According to the report, the damage includes more than US$19 million (approx. FJD $42.8 million) in losses to Energy Fiji Limited’s infrastructure alone after Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016, one of the most powerful storms to hit the country.

The report shows the energy sector remains highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, especially in rural and remote communities that rely on diesel mini-grids and solar systems managed by the Department of Energy.

"Recent disasters have significantly impacted the operational status of rural energy systems, and ongoing maintenance remains a challenge," the report states.

Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), which manages four major power grids across the country, generates about 60 percent of its electricity from hydropower. But remote areas still depend heavily on imported fossil fuels, making them even more exposed during extreme weather events.

“The systems revealed that repeated cyclone damage is pushing up the cost of keeping power flowing, especially in outer islands,” the report added.

The findings highlight the urgent need for stronger climate resilience across Fiji’s critical infrastructure, especially as cyclones become more intense.

The report also highlighted that the long-term sustainability of Fiji’s energy future will depend on improved disaster planning, upgraded systems, and greater investment in renewable and resilient technologies.

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