A renewable energy operator has set up shop in the North.
Dawn Renewable Energy (Fiji) Pte Limited (DREL) was opened by Minister of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu, in Labasa Town.
Owned by Chinese partners, Paul Huang and Aaron Chen, it was founded in 2019.
DREL is a new high-tech enterprise established at an estimated cost of $100,000 investment.
Its business scope mainly covers new energy investment, operation and maintenance, and smart municipal transportation projects.
Experts
Mr Chen said experts in the company had:
n over 12 years experience of independent product manufacturing;
n 11 years’ management experience of nuclear power plant project construction and operation;
n experience in construction projects in bridges, highways and buildings, and a solid and wide range of support in supply chain of renewable energy products from China.
Background
DREL Northern branch manager, Mary Wye-Qiqi, said business started from a small freight container that brought in products from China.
They moved to Nadi where they set up their first store, from where they began the gradual journey of updating Fiji’s first solar market.
The company exports to Tuvalu, Kiribati and Vanuatu.
Projects
Ms Wye-Qiqi said discussions were underway for projects in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
DREL Northern has completed two Fiji Pine projects in Bua where solar power systems were installed.
“We have assisted villagers in Seaqaqa where the 300 watts system provided by the Government was damaged during Tropical cyclones Yasa and Ana,” Ms Wye-Qiqi said.
Mr Seruiratu said the company’s initiative encouraged foreign investors to develop the North.
“I have been always telling Mr Chen to expand his business to the North and kept following up and I thank him for his efforts,” Mr Seruiratu said.
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