OPPOSITION Member Rinesh Sharma has questioned the energy rates being sold by the Fiji Sugar Corporation to the national grid.
In Parliament, Mr Sharma, who is a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that reviewed the Ministry of Sugar Industry’s 2020-2021 annual report, noted the imbalance between the sale of energy by FSC and the electricity charges imposed by Energy Fiji Ltd.
“The other matter that we found out was with EFL,” he said.
“Right now, they are buying power at 23.5 cents per kilowatt.
“So, FSC is selling them power at 23.5 cents in Viti Levu and 24 cents in Vanua Levu.
“However, EFL charges them 27.8 cents to 36.61 cents per kilowatt.”
He said FSC was trying to negotiate a better rate because of the financial challenges they had.
“But I guess no one is listening at EFL.”
Mr Sharma supported the 14 recommendations of the committee of which most highlighted the need for a comprehensive review of the industry and strong support for industry stakeholders.
