Fiji has set ambitious but critical energy goals to achieve 100% renewable electricity generation by 2036 and net-zero emissions by 2050. These goals align with Fiji’s status as a global champion of climate change, aim to provide energy security in the national interest, and are reflected in its national legal framework, which includes the Climate Change Act 2021.
However, for Fiji to move away from reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation and towards energy based on indigenous renewable resources, there must be coordinated and cooperative action in the public and private sectors within a robust legal framework.
To assist with this transition, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has released a pivotal new assessment which our firm was pleased to lead.
The full report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal structures governing Fiji's energy sector, can be accessed here: IRENA: Fiji Assessment of Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks.
Solar farm on Nukubati Island resort demonstrates Fiji's potential to harness renewable resources
Fiji’s Energy Context and the national interest
Fiji’s energy sector is at a critical juncture. Currently, the nation remains reliant on imported fossil fuels for a large portion of its energy needs, particularly for transport and industrial backup. This dependence makes the economy highly susceptible to global price fluctuations and threatens national energy security.
While the headline figure for electricity access is approximately 98%, the grid-connected population stands at roughly 90%, with the remaining 8% relying on various off-grid and mini-grid solutions. This leaves about 2% of the population, mostly in remote maritime areas and the interior, without any reliable access to electricity.
Furthermore, seasonal renewable resources like hydropower are increasingly vulnerable to prolonged droughts. Combined with ageing infrastructure that struggles to integrate variable energy sources like solar and wind, and in light of current geopolitical events—it is evident that technical and regulatory modernisation is an urgent priority and one that is in the national interest.
The Policy Context Including the National Development Plan
This timely IRENA report aligns with Fiji’s broad policy context. This includes the National Development Plan (NDP) 2025–2029 and Vision 2050, which identifies energy security—specifically reducing reliance on imported fuels—as a central pillar for economic resilience.
It also supports the National Energy Policy (NEP) 2023–2030, which strives for a resilient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable energy sector.
Furthermore, these recommendations help fulfil Fiji's international commitments under the Paris Agreement and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which aim for significant greenhouse gas emission reductions. The roadmap also integrates with the Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS) 2018–2050, identifying renewable energy as key to a low-carbon economy.
The NDP explicitly recognises that Fiji's current regulatory framework—and the way it is implemented—must become more conducive to private sector investment to meet its targets. It recommends reviewing and amending the Electricity Act 2017 to provide incentives for private participation, scale up renewable deployment through public-private partnerships, and modernise the grid. This IRENA assessment provides the technical roadmap to fulfil those specific objectives.
The IRENA report provides a Roadmap for Reform of Our Energy Sector
The report identifies that the current legal framework was not originally designed for a rapid, renewable-led transition. If the recommendations in the IRENA report are implemented, they will transform the sector into a modern, decentralised, and competitive environment. Recognising that the full transition will take time, the report recommends short, medium, and long-term actions.
Short-Term Recommendations: Immediate Optimisation
Actions achievable under the current legislative framework to spark momentum.
Medium-Term Recommendations: Targeted Legislative Change
Steps requiring amendments to existing laws to align with national goals.
Long-Term Recommendations: A Modern Energy Framework
A comprehensive overhaul for a climate-resilient energy system to meet Fiji’s commitments and achieve energy security.
The Impact for Fiji
By harmonising the legal framework with the National Development Plan and wider policy goals, Fiji can move away from volatile imported fossil fuels toward a secure, self-sufficient energy future. This transformation promises a cleaner environment, a resilient economy, and improved energy access for all Fijians.
To read the full report published by IRENA, click here.
Acknowledgements
This assessment was a collaborative effort and was made possible through the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative. We would like to express our humble and sincere gratitude to the Fiji Department of Energy (FDOE) and the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport for their leadership and expert guidance.
We are particularly proud of our team at Siwatibau and Sloan, who led the development of this report on contract from IRENA. Our team was led by Atu Siwatibau, with support from Seini Tinaikoro and James Sloan. We consider that the findings reflect the technical, legal, and social realities of Fiji’s energy landscape and provide practical steps that can be implemented now to assist Fiji's just transition to a renewable energy future in the national interest.