Energy Fiji Ltd (EFL) has warned that lower-than-preferred water levels at the Monasavu Dam are posing significant challenges for electricity generation during the dry season.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs this week, EFL chief financial officer Semisi Tawake said the company was closely monitoring current conditions, which have become a major operational concern in 2026.
“This year Fiji has experienced one of two challenging circumstances, one is on the hydrological period in recent years,” Mr Tawake said.
He revealed that water levels at the country’s main hydroelectric reservoir had fallen below EFL’s preferred operating threshold.
“As of May 13, 2026, Monasavu Dam level stood at 737 metres, below the EFL preferred dry season, operating threshold of 740 metres.”
EFL chief executive officer Fatiaki Gibson said maintaining a balance between hydro and thermal generation was critical to ensuring a stable power supply.
“Now, the way EFL runs the generation mix, is that we need the hydrology or the renewable energy plus the thermal to work hand in hand,” Mr Gibson said.
“If one is affected, the nation becomes vulnerable because we cannot meet the demand.
“But for EFL to be able to ride this dry season, it needs to manage the dam level to go from now till the next rainy season, which is around November-December.
“So, it’s a balancing act.”
Mr Gibson warned that relying too heavily on either hydro or fuel-powered generation could leave Fiji unable to meet electricity demand.
“If we drain one side, which is like the water, then we will only meet 50 per cent of the demand. If we run out of fuel because of the fuel crisis, we’ll also run out of ability to meet the demand.
“So, it is a balancing act for us.”
