Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, on 5 September officiated at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Fiji Government, Fiji National University (FNU) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to advance the country’s renewable energy transition.
The agreement paves the way for the creation of the Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at FNU’s College of Engineering and Technical, Vocational Education & Training, with funding support from ISA.
Minister Tuisawau described STAR-C as “a hub for training, knowledge sharing, and expertise in solar energy technologies,” and said it marks a milestone in Fiji’s clean energy journey.
The centre will focus on training and capacity building in solar technologies, testing and quality assurance of solar equipment, knowledge management and research, as well as entrepreneurial development and community empowerment.
“This MoU reflects the deepening energy cooperation between Fiji and India, and underscores our ambitious targets of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050,” Tuisawau said.
He stressed the importance of working with academic institutions to address persistent challenges in the solar sector, including knowledge and skills gaps, financing constraints, limited awareness and supply chain barriers.
“The establishment of STAR-C will help develop a new generation of skilled researchers, technicians, and project managers in the solar field, while ensuring quality standards and supporting entrepreneurship,” he said.
Tuisawau thanked ISA and FNU for their collaboration, noting that such partnerships will be vital in overcoming barriers to renewable energy adoption.
“Achieving a renewable energy future is not easy. Challenges will arise, but with partnerships such as this, we open new opportunities. No country can address energy challenges alone. Building strong international and institutional partnerships is essential,” he said.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure a sustainable and energy-secure future for Fiji.
The ISA, launched in 2015 by India and France at the Paris Climate Conference, is an international organisation that works with more than 110 member countries to promote solar energy deployment and technology transfer. In the Pacific, ISA has been supporting small island developing states with solar projects, technical training and concessional financing to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
An ISA spokesperson welcomed the signing, saying the partnership with Fiji demonstrated the alliance’s commitment to ensuring no country is left behind in the global shift to clean energy. “Through STAR-C, Fiji will not only strengthen its technical expertise but also emerge as a regional leader in solar innovation,” the spokesperson said.
