Fiji Electricity Authority chief executive, Hasmukh Patel.
By RACHNA LAL and RANOBA BAOA
The Fiji Electricity Authority has highlighted some exciting plans in terms of refurbishments for its existing infrastructure and new ventures.
This came on the backdrop of the announcement of a $75.3 million profit for last year compared to $51.3 million in 2011.
Chief executive, Hasmukh Patel, said one of the projects they are looking at is in the Central Division by replacing the aged 33KV underground cables in Suva City.
This $16 million project is expected to improve the reliability of power supply in the city area and suburbs to meet the ever-increasing demand in the city.
Mr Patel stressed these cables have been servicing for more than 35 years and are ageing and should be replaced.
Dreketi power supply
Meanwhile, Mr Patel has confirmed their project which will see the establishment of power supply in Dreketi should be completed by the end of September.
“We whould be able to deliver electricity to Dreketi and that could open up a lot of additional prospects in the area,” he said.
He said this is a $14.5 million project being funded equally by the authority and Government and is part of the Bainimarama Government’s Look North Policy.
Raising the weir
Mr Patel also highlighted the Wainisavulevu project where they are raising the weir by eight metres at a cost of $37 million.
He said as a result of this, in the rainy season, when there is bumper rain, the authority would be able to direct more water and use the water for generation.
Mr Patel said the water that they will collect as a result in increase of height, it will then flow to the Monasavu dam to be used again.
“So economically, the project is very viable and is under construction and we anticipate completion in early 2015,” he said.
Power Plant in Rarawai
Mr Patel highlighted the Fiji Electricity Authority is also talking to a number of independent power producers.
He said one of these is the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the authority wants to establish a power plant in Rarawai.
“We have already signed up with Fiji Sugar Corporation for supply of electricity in Labasa year-round where Labasa used to supply only six months of the year previously,” he said.
“What this means is our diesel power stations will be on going standby and only when there is shortage then we will use the diesel power stations.”
Tariff rates
Mr Patel said it is for these reasons, despite the increased profits, they want the current tariff rates to be maintained.
“There was a reduction from January this year and even after reduction, we are cheaper, not only in the Southern Pacific but including in the Northern Pacific,” he said.
“We have got a lot more to do. We’ve got to make sure we keep up with the development to make sure we are able to meet future demand.”