Nakalawaca Women Pilot First Solar Power Engine
They will also be trained and given boat master licence, nor depend on fossil fuel again for transportation and fishing.
Friday 25 March 2022 | 14:31
(From left) Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau, Deputy Head of EU Delegation for the Pacific Erja Askola and SPC Acting Director of the Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Rhonda Robinson during the handover to the Nakalawaca Women’s Group at Nakalawaca Village, Tailevu, on March 24, 2022. Photo: Wati Talebula-Nuku
The women of Nakalawaca Village in Tailevu are taking matters into their own hands, as far as development in the village is concerned.
Yesterday, thanks to the Pacific Community’s and International Maritime Organisation’s Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC-Pacific), the women received a fiberglass boat and a solar-powered outboard engine, which was funded by the European Union (EU).
Second to that, the women will also be trained and presented their boat master licence.
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The boat and solar powered engine will help the women in the village provide a safe, reliable, and sustainable means of maritime transportation.
The solar power boat, which is the first of its kind in Fiji and the Pacific, is aimed at understanding new technologies that could help communities cut their reliance on fossil fuels in the maritime sector.
The solar-powered engine has been licenced by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF). It was built by a local business.
Pacific Community’s acting director geoscience, energy and maritime (GEM), Rhonda Robinson, said: “The boat and solar engine take the burden off the community to manage and maintain their coastal and maritime resources whilst ensuring safe use of their own ocean, which is critical for the future of the region.
“This is also the first time the women in the village will be trained and given their boat master licence, which is a significant social shift for the community and SPC is very proud to support the priorities of Nakalawaca Village.”
Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau was pleased to see that the country was taking the first steps towards greener emission.
The solar-powered engine boat is a pilot project for Fiji and the Pacific.
Deputy Head of EU Delegation for the Pacific, Erja Askola, said they would continue to support Fiji reach the low emission target of 40 per cent by 2030.
“We will continue to support Fiji and the Pacific countries to meet the target they have set for their emission target. The second phase of this project will be launched next year.”
Nakalawaca women’s group president Mere Drugu said: “Before, we would have to swim if we were to go fishing. Our main source of income comes from the sea, and this is the first assistance we have received, which is a good start for us,” she said.
The women’s group has 25 members.
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj
