Landowner questions importing waste for Vuda Energy Project

Vuda landowner Adi Makelesi Tavaiqia has questioned the feasibility and logistics of importing waste into Fiji under a proposed waste‑to‑energy project.

Ms Tavaiqia raised concerns about whether Pacific island countries had agreed to send waste to Fiji and whether they had the capacity to properly package and transport it.

She directed her questions to developer Next Generation Fiji Pte Ltd during a public consultation held on Sunday evening regarding the proposed Vuda waste‑to‑energy project.

“The regional countries you mentioned that would be sending waste to Fiji — have they agreed? Do they have facilities to pack the waste properly before sending it? And for transportation, will you use specialised ships or hire companies? If hiring, have companies agreed to carry the waste?” Ms Tavaiqia asked.

Developer representative David Gamble said Fiji currently had sufficient waste to meet the project’s requirements, with the option of supplementary material from other Pacific island nations at a later stage.

“We have been partnering with a company called Swire Bulk over the past three months, assisting us with Pacific routes should we need to transport material from those countries,” Mr Gamble said.

“In the past four to six weeks, our modelling has shown Fiji has sufficient material to meet our waste‑mix requirements, which could later be supplemented by Pacific islands,” he said.

Mr Gamble said importing waste would only be considered after the project secured the necessary approvals.

“We need to secure approvals first before taking the next steps. We have identified a shipping partner — one of the largest globally — to assist if required,” he said.

He added that the company planned to take a “bottom‑up” approach, including community education on waste separation.

“We would look at securing land near ports where waste could be baled, stored and prepared for shipment,” he said.

“This would involve education programmes in communities and schools on separating waste at the household level. Suitable material would then be baled, stored and shipped when vessels arrive.”

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