Participants of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Sustainable Energy Initiative meeting at Tanoa International, Hotel, Nadi yesterday. Photo SHEIK DEAN
By SHEIK DEAN
Provision of energy not only affects our economies but our very existence, said Minister for Transport, Works and Public Utilities Captain (Navy) Timoci Natuva, yesterday
Mr Natuva highlighted this at the opening of the Pacific Small Island Developing States Sustainable Energy initiative meeting.
With Fiji’s energy consumption tripling within four years, 2004 to 2008, he says the statistics were alarming.
Petroleum imports had moved from $400 million in 2004 to over $1.2 million in 2008.
Mr Natuva said the purpose of the meeting was to address not only the reality of energy consumption in Fiji has but also other Pacific nations.
This way a collective voice and essential data can be collected to address this ever-growing problem.
In doing so, this would enable Pacific nations to finalise the institutional development of energy initiative.
“Energy in recent times has been elevated as a basic human need,” he said.
“Without energy, everything virtually would come to a standstill and it is a vital ingredient for economic growth and social human development.
“The unprecedented increase in the price of oil in recent years has propelled our inflation level to record highs.
“Unfortunately, the situation has been exacerbated by the continual global economic crises.”
Signing
Mr Natuva looked on at the signing of the Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project (PIGGAREP+) between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and United Nations Development Programme.
This programme is based on the transition to lower carbon economies through development and deployment of renewable energy resources.
Additionally it will assist in the promotion of greater energy efficiency and so far Fiji and Samoa are a part of it.
Fiji projects
Mr Natuva highlighted initiatives undertaken by Government such as commissioning the Nadarivtu Hydro-Power project of US$150 million.
He said this has been greatly beneficial to the Fiji Electricity Authority and its plans in the coming years.
“Renewable generation mix on average now stands at 60 per cent of the grid demand and Fiji Electricity Authority aims to have a 90 per cent generation from renewable energy by 2015.