YASAWA -i-Rara has made history with the launch of the first Lyten Voltpack Mobile System, aimed at improving electricity access for households and essential community services.
Energy Solutions Pacific Ltd, in collaboration with Investment Fiji, launched the system in Yasawa-i-Rara, marking the introduction of the technology to the remote island community.
The system can operate using both solar power and diesel, providing an alternative electricity solution for communities without having access to the national grid, and supports access to a more reliable electricity for households, health services and businesses.
Speaking at the launch, Energy Solutions Pacific director Anwa Khan said the technology would make life easier for villagers and future generations.
“It is something that is going to be very useful. This (product) will help you and your children and everybody else,” Mr Khan said.
Investment Fiji head of regional and trade development Lisala Dyer said unreliable electricity had long constrained the development of rural communities, health services, schools and local businesses.
“For too long, the growth of our rural communities, our health services, our schools and our hardworking local entrepreneurs has been capped by a single fragile constraint: reliable energy,” Mr Dyer said.
“When power flickers or fails or when it is absent altogether, our progress stalls.”
Mr Dyer said modular energy storage systems could provide a pathway to more accessible and scalable energy solutions for remote communities.
He said reliable electricity was essential for healthcare, education, connectivity and micro, small and medium enterprises.
“In our rural areas, a reliable health clinic or a well-lit school should never be at the mercy of distant grids or noisy, expensive diesel generators.”
Mr Dyer said improved electricity access could also help fishermen, women harvesting sea grapes, locally known as nama, and young people connect with markets and expand their economic opportunities.
“When we power our rural communities, we do more than just turn on the lights.
“We power health, we secure education, we hand our fishermen, women that pick sea grapes/nama and youth the tools they need to connect with modern markets and build generational prosperity.”
Meanwhile, Teci Village chief Ratu Salimone Ratuvodo commended the investment made by the business partners for assisting the people of Yasawa. The Yasawa district villages include Tamusua, Nabukeru, Teci, Dalomo, Bukama and Yasawa-i-Rara.
Teci Village chief Ratu Salimone Ratuvodo points at the first ever Lyten Voltpack Mobile System for the Yasawa district. Picture:KATA KOLI
