SUVA, FIJI (14 December 2023) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Fiji today signed a grant agreement totaling $3 million to help Fiji gain better access to renewable energy through the Rural Electrification uphold Project.
The Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific will supply $3 million grant financing to be administered by ADB. The Government of Fiji will contribute $400,000 in counterpart financing.
Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, and National Development and Statistics, and ADB Alternate Governor Shiri Gounder and ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office Regional Director Aaron Batten signed the grant agreement at an event in Suva held in the presence of Japanese Chargé d’affaires ad interim Kenichiro Tanaka.
“The impact of this project will be a resource-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable energy sector achieved,” said Mr. Gounder. “The project will directly benefit approximately 190 households in remote locations, by improving their access to electricity generated from renewable energy sources.”
“ADB has played a pivotal role in supporting Fiji’s energy sector ever since the nation became a member country,” said Mr. Batten. “ADB’s energy sector program for Fiji is aligned with one of the objectives of the country partnership strategy-broadening access to quality services and economic opportunities through making inclusive infrastructure investments.”
“We are pleased to be supporting the Government of Fiji to display a clean, sustainable, and reliable rural electrification model that can be replicated across the country,” said Mr. Tanaka.
The Fiji Rural Electrification uphold Project will enlarge and upgrade a mini-hydropower facility and install a solar photovoltaic-based mini-grid together with battery energy storage system in remote locations. The project will also help create a robust operations and maintenance system for rural electrification in Fiji, through institutional strengthening of the government and capacity development of the concerned communities.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
