Fiji unveils $2b plan to go 100% renewable by 2035

Fiji has launched an ambitious $2 billion renewable energy transition plan, aiming to power the entire nation with 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2035. 

The initiative marks one of the largest green energy programmes in the Pacific and signals the government’s commitment to climate action and sustainable development. 

While speaking in Parliament last week, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad said that it aligned with Fiji’s National Energy Policy 2023–2030, National Development Plan 2025–2029, and Vision 2050. 

“This programme will be critical to ensuring that Fiji’s electricity sector remains reliable, sustainable, and consistent with our national development and climate commitments,” Mr Prasad said. 

The plan dedicates half of the $2 billion investment to building 165 megawatts of new solar power capacity. The remainder will support hydro, biomass, wind, and geothermal projects to reduce reliance on diesel and enhance energy security. 

Mr Prasad said that Fiji could not meet its renewable targets without active private sector involvement.  

“Without private investment, the dream of achieving our targets will not be realised within the timeline we have set,” he said. 

The Government is also reviewing electricity tariffs through the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) to ensure fairness. The approach seeks to balance affordability for households and businesses with sustainable returns for investors, creating a transparent, market-driven framework for the energy sector. 

Addressing concerns about household contributions, Opposition MP Premila Kumar asked if rooftop solar systems would be integrated into the strategy. Mr Prasad confirmed that incentives are being developed for homes to install solar panels and feed excess electricity back into the national grid. 

“EFL is exploring technology that allows rooftop solar users to export surplus energy to the grid,” he said. “We want to encourage more households to move toward solar and contribute to our clean energy supply.” 

Currently, Fiji’s electricity generation comes mainly from hydropower (51.7 percent) and diesel (42.9 per cent), with minimal contributions from solar and wind (0.07 per cent) and biomass-based IPPs (5.23 per cent). The $2 billion plan aims to shift this balance toward renewables, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and strengthen national energy security. 

“What we have put in place as part of the government’s strategy is going to work,” Prasad said. “We will see a lot of investments coming through, securing a greener and more resilient future for Fiji.” 

Fiji’s green energy push positions the country as a regional leader in sustainability, with potential benefits including job creation, reduced fuel imports, and climate resilience.