Fiji Rural Electrification Support Project [FREF]

The project will support the Government of Fiji to demonstrate a clean, sustainable, and reliable rural electrification model that can be replicated across the country, by expanding and upgrading a mini-hydropower facility and installing a solar photovoltaic (PV)-based mini-grid together with battery energy storage system (BESS) in remote locations. The project will also help create a robust operations and maintenance (O&M) system for rural electrification in Fiji, through institutional strengthening of the government and capacity development of the concerned communities. The project will directly benefit approximately 190 households (or approximately 1,070 individuals) in remote locations, by improving their access to electricity generated from renewable energy sources.

The objective of the Project is to improve access to electricity generated from renewable energy sources in the Project Areas.
2. The Project shall comprise:
(a) Increasing renewable energy supply in the Project Areas through activities including: (i) expanding and upgrading of the mini-hydropower facility in Buca village, and (ii) installation of a solar photovoltaic based mini-grid comprised of battery energy storage system in Tiliva village.
(b) Strengthening capacity for operations and maintenance (O&M) through activities including: (i) institutional strengthening of Department of Energy, the Ministry of Public
Works, Meteorological Services and Transport (DOE) and other relevant energy sector agencies in planning, budgeting, and executing O&M program, and (ii) assisting DOE to carry out its capacity development and awareness raising program targeting villagers in the Project Areas to enable carrying out of O&M responsibilities.

• Output 1 — Renewable energy supply in project areas increased:
(i) Buca mini-hydropower facility expansion — works and equipment to provide renewable generation to around 120 households (720 beneficiaries) in Buca village, Vanua Levu.
(ii) Tiliva (Kadavu) solar PV mini-grid with BESS — electrify 70 households (350 beneficiaries) in Tiliva Village, Nakasaleka District (including women-headed households).
• Output 2 — Capacity for operations & maintenance strengthened:
• Capacity development: Project Implementation Consultant; capacity development for DOE and EFL for O&M (training of ~15 staff with target 20% women; community training for 12 villagers with 25% women) and an internship program at DOE (target 20% women interns).
• Procurement packages: contracts include mini-hydro facility (~USD 1.1M), solar PV mini-grid (~USD 0.9M), capacity development / PIC (~USD 0.9M). Procurement plan and schedule in Project Administration Manual (PAM).

Procurement plan and tenders progressed.

Gender Action Plan (GAP) is prepared and publicly disclosed (separate GAP document). Key GAP elements (detailed):
• Classification: Effective gender mainstreaming (EGM).
• Training & awareness: At least one training for all project staff and contract workers on gender-sensitive design and implementation upon mobilisation and after commissioning.
• Public awareness & consultations: Gender-inclusive stakeholder consultations at Buca & Tiliva (target: 50% women).
• Public programs: At least two public awareness programs (one in each site) targeting women & youth (50% women participation).
• Connections: 120 households in Buca connected; 70 households in Tiliva connected (sex-disaggregated beneficiary monitoring).
• Data collection: Sex-disaggregated data collection for beneficiaries and service points.
• Capacity & institutional: Gender assessment of DOE capacity; policy dialogue to mainstream gender in energy policy; training targeted at DOE/EFL staff (targeting 20% women among trainees); internships at DOE (>=20% women interns).
• Community training: At least 12 villagers (25% women) trained in O&M for the facilities.
• Monitoring: GAP progress to be tracked through PMU and National Gender Specialist and included in quarterly reports. Full GAP targets, timeline and responsibilities are provided in the GAP annex.

Total project financing: JFPR cofinancing USD 3,000,000.00 + Government counterpart USD 400,000.00). The PAM indicates ADB financing = 0 (ADB not financing directly), co-financing is JFPR (ADB-administered).
Buca (Vanua Levu): ~120 households (720 beneficiaries).
Tiliva (Kadavu): ~70 households (350 beneficiaries), with explicit reference to inclusion of women-headed households.
Additional beneficiaries: trainees, DOE staff (capacity development), communities deriving service improvements. Sex-disaggregated data collection is in the DMF (GAP indicators)
Buca described as “Buca mini-hydropower facility (located on the island of Vanua Levu and 30 kilometers away from the grid operated by EFL).” The PAM does not embed the full subnational administrative labels (division/province/tikina) in the main PAM excerpt, but gives the island (Vanua Levu). For exact Division/Province/Tikina codes, the PAM indicates location maps in Appendix 1 (Location Map of the Project) and should be consulted for the precise administrative division.
Tiliva: Tiliva Village, Nakasaleka District, Island of Kadavu (the PAM explicitly identifies Nakasaleka District in Kadavu). The PAM includes appendices with maps (Appendix 1) and the procurement/works packages specify the exact village locations for works. For formal Division/Province/Tikina labels, use the project appendices or Government of Fiji administrative lists referenced in the PAM.
Energy - sub-sector: Renewable energy generation (small hydropower) and Solar PV with battery energy storage system (mini-grid); also energy sector institutional reform / O&M capacity strengthening. (PAM: Sector / Subsector fields).