ENERGY Fiji Limited (EFL) is now at a critical point in its roundtable discussions with partners and stakeholders, having done the hard work of shaping the vision and structuring the financing proposal for its largest-ever energy infrastructure program.
EFL chief executive officer Fatiaki Gibson said now was the time for the most important phase of turning proposal into agreement and delivery.
“If we get the implementation right, we unlock economic value, we strengthen infrastructure, we deliver real benefits to our communities, and we build confidence for future investments,” Mr Gibson said in his address at the 2nd EFL Development Partners Roundtable discussion in Suva yesterday.
“But if we delay, fragment or lose focus, we risk losing momentum and value. So let us commit today to closing financial agreements efficiently, advancing technical development with precision, executing projects with discipline and accountability, and working collaboratively as partners.” Mr Gibson said the success of the proposed program would not be determined by what they planned but by what they delivered.
He said the financial proposal had been and would be developed, tested and refined; and the next step was to “crystallise this into binding agreements”. He said that phase required clarity and discipline, speed with rigour, and alignment of interests with development partners, investors, government, and the communities.
“Our objective is clear – to move from proposal to financial close efficiently, transparently, and with full confidence from all stakeholders.”
Mr Gibson said they must advance technical development in parallel once financial closure was achieved.
Ministry of Finance head of Budget Nemia Dawai said the Government had made its position clear in its commitment to transitioning Fiji toward renewable energy.
“The investment pipeline before you today reflects the scale and urgency of this transition. We look forward to the continued support of our development partners, particularly in relation to co-financing arrangements, whether through blended finance, concessional financing, grants, or other appropriate financing modalities,” Mr Dawai said. He said this was an ambitious undertaking and the ministry fully supported the efforts and leadership demonstrated by EFL in advancing this program. Meanwhile, Mr Gibson said with global supply chains remaining volatile, meant they must also plan ahead, diversify suppliers where needed, and to build contingencies into their timelines.
