The Nadarivatu Hydroelectric Scheme, which was officially commissioned today, is expected to save the country about $42millon (FJD) dollars per year from the importation of diesel fuel.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama during the commissioning of the new dam said the Nadarivatu Scheme will meet government’s primary objective of lifting the standards of living for all Fijians.

 

“This dam will generate 100 million units of electricity a year that will power our progress—extending power lines to homes in the villages, in the farming areas, in the cities, and to businesses everywhere”.

He highlighted that it was important to connect all Fijians without discrimination to fully unleash the potential not just for Fiji as a country but that of all individual Fijians.

Prime Minister Bainimarama also highlighted how the only other dam in Fiji, in Monasavu, was commissioned 30 years back but the power that was generated by that first dam ironically and tragically went right past many of the communities in the surrounding areas.

“This will not be the case in Nadarivatu. All the surrounding areas have already been connected. Denying Fijians the electricity generated in their own back yards will no longer be the case.”

“The new energy created by this dam is clean energy.  My Government together with FEA is committed to developing clean, renewable and affordable sources,” the prime minister said.

Nadarivatu is the latest achievement in government’s objective of providing 90% of all of Fiji’s energy requirements through renewable energy sources by the year 2015.

“This will not only reduce the deficit in our balance of payments position but ensure that we protect our environment by reducing green house emissions and contribute to the global effort of mitigating risks of climate change and environmental degradation,” he added.

The Nadarivatu hydroelectric project was constructed at a cost of around USD$150million and funded by the China Development Bank, ANZ Fiji, Bank of the South Pacific Fiji and Fiji Electricity Authority.