Fiji Agrophotovoltaic Project in Ovalau

The project aims to transition Ovalau Island from 100% diesel-based electricity to renewable energy using a 4 MWp Agro-Photovoltaic (APV) solar plant and 5 MWh BESS, while preserving arable land for agriculture. It seeks to strengthen local technical capacity, promote climate-resilient agriculture, enhance energy security, reduce GHG emissions, and provide training and employment opportunities for women, youth, and local communities. Ultimately, it serves as a replicable model for sustainable energy and agriculture integration in Fiji and other SIDS.

To promote climate-resilient renewable energy generation and sustainable agriculture in Ovalau, Fiji, by implementing an integrated solar agro-photovoltaic (APV) system with microgrid stabilization, while strengthening local technical capacity, supporting community livelihoods, and enabling replicable models for other islands and SIDS

• Renewable Energy Installation
- Planned establishment of a 4 MWp Solar AgroPhotovoltaic (APV) system integrated with a 5 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
- Expected reduction of GHG emissions by replacing diesel-based power generation on Ovalau.
• Land-Sharing Model
- Innovative APV design allowing dual use of land for agriculture and renewable energy generation.
- Expected to preserve arable land while promoting renewable energy targets.
• Capacity Building
- Expectations to Strengthening technical skills for local communities and project implementers in APV technology.
- Enhancing replication capacity for future projects in Fiji and other SIDS.
• Agricultural Co-Benefits
- Expected improvements in crop yield through shading effects of APV systems, reducing water evaporation and increasing climate resilience.
- Facilitation of smart farming with access to electricity and climate monitoring tools.
• Energy & Infrastructure Goals
- Expect to also Contribute to Fiji’s NDC target of 100% renewable energy generation by 2035.
- Reduction of diesel import costs (14–17% of GDP annually) and dependence on fossil fuels.

• Promote gender equality and women’s active participation in project employment, training, and decision-making.
• Prioritize women, especially female-headed households, for jobs and technical training in APV and BESS systems.
• Ensure equal pay for women and men in similar roles.
• Conduct classroom and field training for women engineers, youth, and community members.
• Establish Specialized Climate Financing Facility prioritizing women borrowers (≥30% beneficiaries).
• Include gender equality content in media campaigns and awareness programs.
• Conduct workshops for policy-makers (≥25% female participants) and local communities (≥40% female participants) with gender sessions.
• Strengthen capacity for gender mainstreaming in project planning, implementation, and governance.
• Improve economic status, livelihoods, and resilience of women and girls (both fijian and indo-fijian) mostly in vulnerable groups.
• Ensure equitable sharing of project benefits and compensation among women in the community.

• The project is the first Agro-Photovoltaic (APV) initiative in Fiji and aims to balance renewable energy development (NDC target) with protecting arable land and food security (NAP target). • Project expected to serve as a demonstration model for replication across Fiji and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Fiji Development Bank Senior Loan USD 1,000,000.