Fiji’s Electricity Act 2017 opened the door for private companies to generate power, but it simultaneously maintains a monopoly for the state-owned utility over the infrastructure used to deliver that energy. This legal structure forces independent producers into a weak bargaining position, according to the authors of the newly released report, as they have no choice but to sell their electricity to a single dominant buyer.
“While the Electricity Act 2017 allows for the licensing of IPPs to generate electricity, EFL retains exclusive rights over the transmission, distribution and retail of electricity. This means that IPPs must sell their electricity to EFL, which then distributes it to consumers.”
In simple terms, even though the law allows private firms to build solar or wind farms, it grants the national power company total control over the power grid. Because these private developers cannot sell directly to the public, they are stuck in a lopsided relationship where they must negotiate contracts with a state-run competitor that owns the only available delivery system.
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.
