The Wainikasou project forms part of a program that will see the installation of up to 100 megawatts (MW) of hydro and wind power generation capacity in Fiji over the next five years.
These projects will be rolled out under a joint venture between Pacific Hydro and the Fiji Electrical Authority (FEA). The joint venture, Sustainable Energy Limited (SEL), is aiming to save in excess of F$10 million per year in foreign exchange by replacing diesel imports for electricity generation with Fiji’s indigenous renewable energy resource of wind and water.
Pacific Hydro’s general manager, Business Development and Operations, Rob Grant, said the commencement of power generation from the Wainikasou station is a significant step in a program that realises benefits for both the company and the nation of Fiji.
“The joint venture has secured a 15 year power purchase agreement with the Fiji Electricity Authority, which underpins the returns expected for our investment in overseas projects. When fully operational, SEL’s projects will facilitate a sizable reduction in FEA’s need to import diesel to meet Fiji’s growing energy demand currently estimated at 5% per year.
“With more than 30% of Fiji’s current electricity requirements coming from expensive imported diesel, the program will more effectively harness the country’s indigenous and renewable energy resources while providing significant environmental and cost benefits to Fiji,” Grant said.
“Our Fiji joint venture is consistent with our strategy of investing in renewable operations where we can add value through our proven core capabilities.”
SEL’s second hydro project at Vaturu, also on the main island of Vitu Levu, will be completed in Q4, 2004. The joint venture has committed A$16.5 million to construct the two hydro projects and a number of other hydro and wind farm sites are being studied, including the 50 MW Sigatoka-Ba hydro electric project in Vitu Levu that is currently undergoing a feasibility analysis.
Meanwhile the company is reportedly investigating the feasibility of an additional 12MW power plant on Lake Argyle to supplement the existing 30MW station that currently supplies the Argyle diamond mine and surrounding residential centres.
Managing director Jeff Harding told the Australian Newspaper that the company was looking at the Ord River diversion dam near Kununurra as the most likely site for the plant, which would supply the planned extension of the underground Argyle diamond mine.
Harding also indicated that this could be the last significant hydro project in Australia as wind power was developing as a more attractive option under proposed Mandatory Renewable Energy Target regulations
