SUSTAINABILITY today is no longer just an option. It is a necessity, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications Manoa Kamikamica while officiating at the inauguration of Duadua Resort’s signage, the commissioning of its solar power plant and the grand opening of its event centre in Rakiraki on Saturday.

Duadua Resort, owned by husband-and-wife investors Latchman and Savita Gounden, will be powered by the new solar facility with surplus energy supplied to the national power grid.

The investment has been hailed as “a landmark achievement in Fiji’s journey towards renewable energy”.

“As we transition to a low carbon economy, projects like these play a critical role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and promoting environmental sustainability,” Mr Kamikamica said.

“Duadua Solar Energy Fiji Ltd, a company that has been created through the investment, is leading the way with innovative solar energy systems that integrates 182 solar panels organised into 13 channels.

“This facility generates over 600volts of electricity, supplying 100kW of AC power daily to the Duadua Resort.

“With a backup capacity of around 215kW per day, excess energy generated on sunny days is stored for night time use, ensuring a sure, stable and sustainable supply of power.

“Additionally, the ability to exchange surplus energy with the EFL grid enhances efficiency and overall reliability of our EFL national grid,” Mr Kamikamica said.

He said Government remained committed to expanding renewable energy initiatives across Fiji and promised more announcements to come from EFL in the months to come.

“Let me just say that the green transition in Fiji is well underway.

“We are working with international partners and private sector investors to scale up solar, wind and hydro projects, even hydrogen projects and maybe ethanol, ensuring that sustainable energy solutions become the foundation of Fiji’s development into the future,” Mr Kamikamica said.