Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) has officially written and informed the Ministry of Environment of an underground fuel oil leak adjacent to its Power Station in Kinoya.
EFL CEO Hasmukh Patel said EFL and its contractors had seen signs of the discharge on the evening of Sunday, February 19, and had informed the ministry on Monday, February, 20 (2023).
“EFL took immediate steps to close off all the possible supply points in the area of the suspected leak and commenced to excavate the passage next to its power station to expose the underground pipes,” Mr Hasmukh said.
“The leakage has been contained within the EFL boundary, but as a preventative measure, EFL and its contractors have revisited the containment booms within its premises and waterways to ensure that the heavy downpours experienced in the recent days does not cause spillage outside the containment area.”
Mr Hasmukh said EFL was in the process of identifying the underground leak and repair the same.
“Remedial works are underway to ensure there are no environment damage caused by this underground leakage within the EFL premises.
“A damage assessment will be carried out by an independent consultant – registered with the Department of Environment – and a report will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment within the week ahead.”
The Department of Environment had issued a prohibition notice this week to EFL for its Kinoya station to cease discharge of fuel into the environment.
In the notice, Director of Environment Sandeep Singh wrote an inspection was carried out by department officers and found that EFL’s Kinoya station was in breach of the Environment Management Act 2005 and Environment Management (Waste Disposal and Recycling) Regulations 2007.
