The Consumer Council of Fiji has called for a comprehensive review of Energy Fiji Ltd’s long-term power generation planning, arguing that repeated emergency spending on diesel generation highlights weaknesses in the utility’s energy strategy.
Presenting submissions to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Affairs this week, council chief executive Seema Shandil said EFL spent $21million on emergency diesel generation rentals in 2023, with the figure increasing to $31million in 2024.
“This heavy reliance on fossil fuel infrastructure highlights a vulnerability in the long-term power generation planning,” Ms Shandil said.
She questioned why power shortages were not anticipated despite predictable periods of high demand.
“So our question is, why was the long-term generation planning consistently failed to anticipate this shortfall?
“Because we know when there will be high demand and in which period the demand will be high.”
Ms Shandil also raised concerns about renewable energy assets remaining idle for years, including the Nagadro Hydro Station, which had been non-operational since 2016.
“So, looking across both reports, we note the concern of prolonged downtime of the key renewal assets.
“The Nagadro Hydro Station has been non-operational since 2016, which is almost for a decade.”
The council urged EFL to undertake a full audit of non-operational renewable assets and provide clear restoration timelines.
“Consumers are seeking clarity regarding the long-term affordability of their power,” Ms Shandil said.
“Greater transparency was needed on how EFL planned to achieve its renewable energy targets while investing $220million in new thermal power plants.”
