Energy Fiji Limited’s control over the country’s power grid creates a bottleneck for clean energy because independent producers are forced to sell their electricity through a single, dominant buyer. This exclusive grip on transmission and supply discourages private investment and leaves remote communities without access to modern renewable solutions, according to the authors of the newly released report.
“Without transparent and favourable PPA terms from EFL, IPPs face uncertainty, hindering private investment in renewable energy projects.” The report further notes that this “blanket exclusivity… does not consider the need to ensure energy access to 100% of the population of Fiji – and especially those who are currently living outside grid coverage in the outer islands.”
Essentially, while the government wants to move toward green energy, one company owns all the power lines and is the only entity allowed to sell electricity to the public. If a private company builds a new solar farm, they cannot sell power directly to customers; they must strike a deal with that utility first. Because these deals are often difficult to negotiate or financially unattractive, many private investors are staying away, slowing down the nation’s switch to renewables.
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.
