MINFO NEWS
Government’s incentives for independent power producers to sell electricity to the Fiji Electricity Authority grid are bearing fruits.
A number of interests have been registered from various companies willing to sell electricity to the FEA grid.
A biomass-based independent power producer, Vuda Renewables, has come on board with the proposed capac¬ity of 17.8MW.
Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Captain (Navy) Timoci Natuva, said the company will supply FEA within two to three years from now.
He noted the two-state owned independent power producers, Tropik Woods Industries Limited and Fiji Sugar Corporation, supply a combined capacity of about 10MW.
“Work is also underway by FSC to bring another 15MW capac¬ity at FSC Labasa before the third quarter of 2014 and 30MW at FSC Rarawai,” Captain Natuva said.
Another independent power producer, Pacific Energy, has signed a Power Purchase Agreement with FEA for a biomass project near Vuda with a capacity of up to 20MW.
FEA chief executive, Hasmukh Patel, confirmed the authority has also been in consultations with other prospective independent power producers for the past five years.
“FEA has signed a few Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and talks are under way with some others who are keen to invest in this sector,” he said.
Director Energy, Peceli Nakavulevu, said Government spent close to $200 million since 1993 and continued to invest on electricity infrastructure development.
Government’s effort in reducing the import bills includes bio fuel programme as an alternative to imported fossil fuels.
FEA had in 2011, prepared a ten-year Power Development Plan, which is being reviewed this year for the next 10 years.
This is to ensure development takes place in a timely manner to meet the electricity demand of Viti Levu going forward.
Feedback: rachnal@fijisun.com.fj
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