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Fiji and Development Partners Gather to Chart a Renewable Energy Future

Suva, Fiji – 22 July 2020 – Fiji’s Department of Energy today held an inception workshop to kick-off the development of the country’s new National Energy Roadmap and SDG7 Roadmap. Organized in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the workshop welcomed in person and virtually over 50 stakeholders from government, development organizations and civil society organizations.

Hon. Min. Jone Usamate delivering his opening remarks at the Fiji NEP & SDG & Roadmap Inception Workshop

Though Fiji has access to abundant natural resources and considerable potential to develop renewable resources the country continues to rely on imported fuel. Further, only 80 percent of the rural population, – particularly on Fiji’s outer islands, are connected to the electricity grid.

“The energy sector is critical for Fiji’s socio-economic development, and a sector that has both opportunities to explore and challenges to address,” said Jone Usamate, Minister for Infrastructure and Meteorological Services. “Fiji’s NEP and SDG7 will be critical tools in guiding the interventions and investment needed to develop a sustainable and access energy sector that support’s Fiji’s national.”

Fiji’s National Energy Policy (NEP) was first developed in 2006 and revised in 2014.  The Department of Energy (DOE), with support from GGGI and UNESCAP, is undertaking a review of the policy to develop a new NEP 2020-2030.  Leveraging the activities of the NEP review and development process, the DOE is also designing its SDG7 Roadmap using the National Expert SDG Tool for Energy Planning (NEXSTEP) analytical tool applied by UNESCAP.

“Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement by transitioning the energy sector presents a complex task for policymakers,” said Hongpeng Liu, Director of the Energy Division of UNESCAP. “The transition needs to ensure sustained economic growth, respond to increasing energy demand, reduce emissions, and consider and capitalize on the interlinkages between SDG7 and other SDGs.”

Hongpeng Liu, Director of the Energy Division of UNESCAP Speaking Virtually at the Fiji NEP & SDG & Roadmap Inception Workshop

The Inception Workshop on the development of Fiji’s SDG7 Roadmap and review of the NEP brought together stakeholders to present the current status of the energy sector, and engage participants in discussion and debate on Fiji’s vision for a new NEP through to 2030.

Following the workshop, and taking into account the feedback generated, DOE and GGGI will conduct a series of one-on-one consultation meetings with stakeholders to further generate inputs on the development of the SDG7 Roadmap, review of the 2014 NEP, and ultimately the development of the NEP 2020-2030.

The NEP 2020-2030 will support Fiji’s transition to low carbon energy policy and implementation of Fiji’s National Development Plan 2017-2036, Fiji’s NDC 2015 and NDC Implementation Plan 2017-2030, National Adaptation Plan 2018, Fiji Low Emission Development Strategy 2018-2050, and SDG7 Roadmap.

Participants at the Fiji NEP & SDG 7 Roadmap Inception Workshop

Fiji has set targets to reduce emissions 30% by 2030 and net-zero by 2050 and to achieve 100% renewables by 2036.

SDG 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.