Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development, Esrom Immanuel, says decisions made during the previous government’s partial sale of Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) continue to shape today’s electricity challenges — particularly because stronger long-term safeguards were not built into the transaction.
The Minister said that when 44 per cent of EFL shares were sold to private investors, Fiji missed an opportunity to lock in clearer protections around renewable energy transition targets, pricing resilience and strategic national control over an essential utility.
“Electricity is an essential national utility. We must ensure Fiji’s long-term resilience, renewable capacity and affordability. That is what we are strengthening now,” he said.
Immanuel noted that the current tariff review is taking place in a context where fuel costs, climate pressures and infrastructure needs are rising — but some regulatory levers were weakened at the time of the sale.
According to him, stronger provisions — such as firmer investment obligations in renewables, clearer consumer-protection thresholds, and safeguards preserving Government leverage in crises — could have provided Fiji with greater stability.
He stressed, however, that the priority now is to rebuild those protections through transparent consultation and improved oversight.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that tariff outcomes are justified, fair and sustainable. Transparency, consultation and respect for the Fijian people remain central to how this Government operates,” he said.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to protecting consumers, maintaining public trust, and strengthening national energy security as Fiji charts its future electricity framework.
The tariff review process remains ongoing, with regulators expected to assess financial sustainability, consumer impact, and Fiji’s broader transition toward renewable power.
