Inspired by Fiji's Presidency of COP23, the Fijian Government with the support of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation will bring renewable energy to eligible rural communities across the country.
Together with Sunergise Fiji Limited, the Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area Network and the Fiji Electricity Authority, the new Fiji Rural Electrification Fund will bring solar power to communities with no electricity or that rely on pollution‑emitting diesel generators.
According to a government statement the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation will provide a grant as seed funding to electrify the villages of Vio and Nacula in Yasawa, the first two communities taking part in the pilot phase of the program.
The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation will then help mobilise funding for additional communities.
Once a sufficient number of communities are operational, the revenues from the electricity sales will be used to finance further communities, creating a self‑funding system that will expand the program throughout rural Fiji.
The CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, Terry Tamminen says island nations are on the front lines of climate change, and with Fiji's leadership they can demonstrate how practical renewable energy solutions can improve lives and increase resiliency at the same time.
Prime Minister and Incoming President of COP23, Voreqe Bainimarama says this program is a shining example of the grand coalition they are mobilising to address the challenge of climate change by working with leaders across the world and from all walks of life ‑ governments at all levels, the private sector, foundations and civil society.
The communities served by this program will receive round‑the‑clock electricity services from solar and battery hybrid systems for the same or less money than they currently spend on fossil fuels to run diesel generators for only three to four hours a day.
The first two communities are expected to come online in the third quarter of 2018.
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