A $6.3 million 1.55 megawatt photovoltaic farm to be constructed on Taveuni island is expected to benefit 500 families.
The Mua Solar Farm project was funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a Korean governmental organisation established in 1991 for official development assistance.
In 2021, Energy Fiji Limited had signed an agreement with Clay Energy Fiji, a leading renewable energy solution provider in the Pacific, for the construction of the solar farm project.
Clay Energy Fiji project designer Avinesh Sen said the project was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Mr Sen said the solar farm project was expected to be commissioned next month.
“The project started in 2019 but due to the pandemic, it’s late,” he said.
“It was difficult for us to order parts of the solar farm project overseas due to closure of borders.”
While briefing the Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka, Mr Sen said the solar panels would be directly connected to the electricity grid.
“This will provide powers to 500 families in the Northern parts of Taveuni,” he said.
“It has a total of 2880 solar panels, with each panel producing 370 watts of electricity.”
Mr Ditoka said the Government was targeting households to have access to electricity to make their lives better.
“This one is ready to go,” he said.
“We are thankful to Korea International Cooperation Agency and Energy Fiji Limited for getting this ready.”
A first of its kind in Fiji, the 1.55-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant will be equipped with a one megawatt-hour battery energy storage system.
