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Today's signing follows the recent endorsement by the Project Board to enter into a four-year partnership with UNDP to help accelerate rural electrification objectives in Fiji.
Suva, Fiji: The Government of Fiji and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF) Support Project, a groundbreaking initiative to bring clean, reliable, and affordable renewable energy to underserved rural communities across Fiji.
This partnership – supported by the Governments of Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom – marks a significant step toward advancing sustainable development and climate resilience in Fiji. Through the development of rural mini-grids the FREF Support Project will diversify the country’s energy mix to reduce emissions, contribute to national electricity access objectives, and promote gender-balanced economic growth using electricity as an enabler for inclusive sustainable development.
The project document was signed by Permanent Secretary for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transportation, Paula Baleilevuka, and UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative, Munkhtuya Altangerel.
This signing follows recent endorsement by the Project Board to enter into a four-year partnership with UNDP to help accelerate the rural electrification objectives of FREF; a trust fund set up by the Government of Fiji in 2017. The UNDP-FREF collaboration will begin with electrifying three rural maritime sites using solar mini-grid solutions benefiting 1,031 Fijians and electrifying 249 households in Yadrana Village on Lakeba Island, Salia Village on Kioa Island, and Yacata Village on Yacata Island. Up to 17 additional rural maritime villages will be electrified over the next 18 months.
FREF will build on the success of a pilot phase launched on Vio Island in 2017. The initiative electrified 47 households with an affordable tariff of FJD18 per month. The pilot provided families with sufficient power for basic appliances, improving daily living conditions and economic opportunities.
UNDP's Munkhtuya Altangerel (left) and Permanent Secretary Paula Baleilevuka signing the project document.
The Permanent Secretary for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transportation, Paula Baleilevuka said:
“I thank UNDP for its excellent support to the Government of Fiji in advancing our National Development Plan and expanding reliable energy access to enhance livelihoods in rural communities. This transformative initiative will accelerate Fiji's renewable energy ambitions and unlock the economic potential of our maritime islands.”
UNDP Pacific Office Resident Representative, Munkhtuya Altangerel, highlighted the project’s broader implications:
“The success of this initiative will not only bring life-changing benefits to rural communities but also serve as a model for how national governments and development partners can collaborate to drive progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.”
About FREF:
The Fiji Renewable Energy Fund (FREF) aims to improve energy access for over 399 rural communities in Fiji using blended finance solutions, advance climate commitments, and contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy).
For more information contact:
Minseong Lee | Inclusive Growth Communications Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | minseong.lee@undp.org