THE British American Tobacco (BAT) company in Fiji is expected to save 60 per cent off its electricity bills after the installation of new solar energy systems to power its Nabua and Nadi facilities.
BAT Fiji general manager James Goldring said the newly commissioned solar systems had cost an estimated $1.5million; and had a combined installed capacity of 806-kilowatt peak.
“The system here at Nabua has an installed capacity of 660-kilowatt peak, while our system in Nadi has a capacity of 146 kilowatt peak,” Mr Goldring said.
He said the two systems were expected to generate 880 kilowatt hours of renewable solar energy annually and supply 60 per cent of BAT Fiji’s total electricity requirements.
“At the Nabua site, the solar installation is projected to reduce BAT Fiji’s carbon emissions by 32 per cent.
“By investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency, BAT Fiji is not only reducing our operational emissions but also helping to manage our reliance on the grid, particularly during peak times.”
Mr Goldring said the project was also contributing towards BAT Fiji’s sustainability targets of achieving 50 per cent renewable energy usage and reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, compared with 2020 levels.
“This installation forms part of BAT’s broader sustainability program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing climate-related risks and improving the use of energy and natural resources.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the systems were expected to provide a significant share of BAT Fiji’s electricity requirements while substantially reducing emissions from its operations.
Mr Rabuka congratulated BAT Fiji for the investment and said the Government supported the continued operation and expansion of renewable energy initiatives.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka with British American Tobacco (BAT) staff members after the commissioning of the solar panel system at thier factory in Nabua on Thursday. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
