According to the authors of the newly released report, licensing serves as a primary regulatory tool that can be used immediately to enforce government energy policies without waiting for long-term legislative changes. By adjusting the specific conditions within existing licenses, regulators can compel the national utility and private producers to prioritize renewable energy, set fair pricing, and meet strict development timelines.
The report states that “the key regulatory tool in the implementation of government policy and direction for EFL and any other IPPs looking to generate renewable energy is the use of licensing and licence conditions.” Furthermore, it notes that by “effectively utilising licensing conditions, the regulator can influence licensees to promote renewable energy development and ensure that the electricity sector contributes to Fiji’s SDGs.”
In simple terms, a license is more than just a permit to operate; it is a set of rules that a power company must follow to keep its business running. Regulators can update these rules to require companies to buy more power from clean sources like solar or wind and to ensure they negotiate fairly with smaller, private energy producers. This allows the government to start changing how the energy market works right away, rather than spending years trying to pass new laws through parliament.
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.
