29/06/2026
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We are proud and excited to be delivering the Yadrana project with our partners at CDGA.
FREF BOARD BACKS MAJOR PUSH TO BRING CLEAN, RELIABLE POWER TO FIJI'S RURAL AND MARITIME COMMUNITIES
Fiji's rural electrification programme has taken another major step forward, with the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF) Board of Trustees approving a series of decisions that will accelerate the delivery of clean, reliable and affordable renewable energy to rural and maritime communities.
The Board endorsed recommendations covering Stage 1 implementation progress, the Vio Island Stage 2a Solar Mini-Grid Upgrade, the selection of Koro Island for the Stage 2b rollout, and a Korea-supported grant arrangement to finance the next FREF project site.
The decisions mark FREF's transition from planning into full-scale implementation, with projects progressing across Kioa, Yacata, Lakeba, Vio and Koro, while another Korea-supported project moves towards procurement.
STAGE 1: SOLAR MINI-GRID WORKS ADVANCING
The Board noted strong progress at the first three FREF solar mini-grid sites:
* Salia Village, Kioa Island (Government of New Zealand)
* Yacata Village, Yacata Island (Government of Australia)
* Yadrana Village, Lakeba Island (Governments of New Zealand and the United Kingdom)
The Stage 1 programme, valued at approximately USD3 million, was awarded to CBS Power Solutions for Salia and Yacata, and CDGA Engineering Consultants Ltd for Yadrana.
Site mobilisation has been completed at all three locations, while house wiring is around 95% complete on Kioa and 90% complete on both Yacata and Yadrana.
Major equipment, including solar panels, batteries, inverters, battery racks, feeder pillars and meter boxes, has already been procured. Remaining materials, including mounting structures, streetlights, reticulation materials and smart meters, are currently en route to Fiji.
Contractors are coordinating the delivery of approximately 200 tonnes of equipment to project sites. Subject to the timely arrival of remaining materials and continued contractor performance, Stage 1 is expected to be completed by the end of October 2026.
VIO ISLAND STAGE 2A UPGRADE
The Board also noted completion of the procurement and contracting process for the USD319,031 Vio Island Solar Mini-Grid Upgrade.
Funded entirely by the Government of Australia through the FREF Trust Fund, the project is being implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Department of Energy and the FREF Technical Team.
The upgrade will increase solar generation by 25kWp, bringing total system capacity to approximately 30.88kW, improving electricity reliability for 48 households, the newly completed evacuation centre and productive uses such as cold storage, digital connectivity and small-scale food processing.
A key feature is the installation of roof-mounted solar panels on the new Category 5 cyclone-certified evacuation centre, ensuring reliable emergency power while maximising available space for solar generation.
Scheduled for completion by December 2026, the project strengthens both community resilience and energy security while reducing reliance on diesel generation.
KORO ISLAND SELECTED FOR STAGE 2B
The Board endorsed Nasau, Sinuvaca and Nakodu on Koro Island as the Stage 2b implementation package.
Koro was selected following detailed analysis because it offers the strongest combination of value for money, implementation readiness, logistics efficiency and socio-economic impact.
FREF aims to electrify 399 rural and maritime communities. To date, 75 sites have undergone pre-feasibility assessments, while 22 sites have progressed to detailed feasibility studies, socio-economic baselining, geotechnical investigations and tender design.
Analysis showed the Koro cluster has the lowest average cost per connection at approximately USD18,036, significantly lower than assessed sites in Lau, Kadavu, Gau and Batiki.
Delivering three villages on one island allows shared logistics, labour, supervision, equipment movement, accommodation and maintenance, reducing costs and implementation risks. Existing road access and reticulation infrastructure further improve readiness while minimising major civil works.
The Stage 2b package will provide clean, reliable solar electricity and digital connectivity to 256 households and more than 10 public buildings, while supporting agriculture, agri-processing, cold storage, small businesses, digital access and improved community services.
The remaining 19 implementation-ready sites will remain in the FREF pipeline for future rollout as additional donor funding becomes available.
KOREA-SUPPORTED GRANT APPROVED
The Board also endorsed support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), to finance the electrification of one additional FREF site.
The Board approved the signing of the Grant Agreement between the Government of Fiji and KOICA. The project site, which has already completed detailed socio-economic and technical assessments, will be announced later and is ready to proceed to tender once funding is received.
The support further strengthens FREF as a trusted platform for transparent, technically sound and implementation-ready rural renewable energy investments.
FROM PLANNING TO DELIVERY
The Board's decisions represent another significant milestone in Fiji's clean energy transition.
Through Stage 1, the Vio upgrade, the Koro Stage 2b package and the Korea-supported project, FREF is demonstrating a structured, scalable and financially disciplined approach to rural electrification by combining donor financing, Government oversight, technical due diligence, competitive procurement, socio-economic assessments, value-for-money analysis and long-term implementation planning.
The programme also links electricity access with broader development outcomes, including productive livelihoods, stronger community resilience, improved public services, digital connectivity and reduced dependence on diesel-powered generation.
FREF Board Chair and Permanent Secretary for Public Works and Meteorological Services Mr Paula Baleilevuka said the decisions marked an important step forward.
"The Board's decisions represent a significant step forward for Fiji's rural electrification agenda. FREF is moving from planning into active delivery, with communities across Kioa, Yacata, Lakeba, Vio and Koro now part of a growing pipeline of clean, reliable and sustainable rural energy investments. These decisions also show that Fiji is building a practical model for rural renewable energy delivery that can attract partner support, manage implementation risks and deliver real benefits for communities."
Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael acknowledged UNDP and development partners for their continued support.
"On behalf of the Government of Fiji, I thank UNDP for its continued support as Lead Implementation Agency and Fund Advisor. We also acknowledge the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea for providing critical climate finance through FREF. Their support is helping unlock the development potential of Fiji's rural and maritime communities while strengthening climate resilience."
The Board reaffirmed the importance of continued oversight by UNDP, the Department of Energy, the FREF Technical Team and the FREF Unit to ensure projects are delivered on time, achieve value for money and meet technical, safety and community standards.
ABOUT THE FIJI RURAL ELECTRIFICATION FUND
The Fiji Rural Electrification Fund is a financing and delivery mechanism established to provide clean, reliable and sustainable electricity to rural and maritime communities not connected to the national grid. FREF promotes a structured, partnership-driven and financially sustainable approach to rural electrification by mobilising donor investment, preparing bankable renewable energy projects and delivering long-term energy solutions for communities across Fiji.
