Fiji must realign the commercial incentives of its national power utility with its public climate targets to successfully transition to clean energy, according to the authors of the newly released report. The report argues that strengthening independent oversight and mandating standardized agreements with private investors will prevent corporate profit motives from hindering the nation’s 100% renewable energy goal.
“To ensure the viability of renewable energy projects, it is essential to strike a balance between EFL’s commercial interests and the broader public interest in promoting renewable energy.” The authors further recommend that the government “Implement mechanisms to incentivise EFL to prioritise national energy goals, such as renewable energy deployment and energy security, alongside commercial considerations.”
In simpler terms, Fiji’s main electricity provider now operates as a for-profit company, which can create a conflict where the drive for earnings clashes with the expensive work of building a green power grid. To resolve this, the government should empower a watchdog to set strict rules that force the utility to put national environmental targets first. By creating fair, predictable contracts for independent green energy producers, the country can attract the private investment needed to ditch fossil fuels without sacrificing the utility’s financial health.
The report ‘Fiji: Assessment of Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition’ was published by the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi in 2026. Prepared by a team led by the legal firm Siwatibau and Sloan in collaboration with the Fiji Department of Energy, it provides a comprehensive roadmap for reforming the Pacific nation’s electricity sector to meet ambitious climate goals.
