The UAE has inaugurated a solar photovoltaic micro grid project that will bring clean energy to some of Fiji’s outer islands.

Constructed by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, the clean energy project is the third financed by the UAE’s $50 million Pacific Partnership Fund, through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), said a statement.

The Fiji project was financed with $5 million from the UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund, it said.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “The UAE is committed to demonstrating how renewable energy can provide clean power and spur economic development while mitigating climate change, particularly for Pacific Island countries.

“We commend Masdar and ADFD on successfully completing solar micro grids that will help Fiji meet its electricity needs in a more sustainable manner.”

The solar plants together have a capacity of 555 kilowatts (kW) and will provide more than 40 per cent of the daily electricity demand of each of three islands, said the statement.

The energy produced will collectively avoid emitting 722 tonnes of CO2 each year and save 259,000 liters of diesel fuel worth $497,000 annually.

Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, said: “The UAE and Fiji have a strong bilateral relationship, and we thank the government of the UAE for funding, developing and delivering this important and valuable project. The micro grids will provide electricity for homes as well as help produce clean energy to develop small-scale industries and enterprises in these remote islands.”

The three new solar micro grid projects include a 249 kW solar plant in Kadavu Island, a 153kW solar plant in Lakeba Island and a 153 kW solar plant in Rotuma Island. - TradeArabia News Service