Fiji Advances 142MW Solar and 240MWh Energy Storage Project, Targeting Commercial Operation Before Q1 2029

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 7, EPC Renewables and Spain's Grupo Cobra are jointly advancing the Yaqara Solar and Energy Storage Project with Fiji's state-owned power utility, Energy Fiji Limited. The project plans to construct 142MW of solar photovoltaic generation facilities and a 240MWh battery energy storage system, to be implemented in two phases: Phase 1 will build 22MW of solar PV plus 40MWh of energy storage, and Phase 2 will expand with an additional 120MW of solar PV plus 200MWh of energy storage. The three parties have signed a memorandum of understanding, transitioning the project from preliminary development to the commercial agreement and implementation preparation stage.

EPC Renewables will be responsible for project financing, development, construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance, and will achieve power off-take through a long-term power supply arrangement with Energy Fiji Limited. Concurrently, EPC Renewables has separately signed a cooperation memorandum with Grupo Cobra, under which the two parties will collaborate on engineering, procurement, and construction for Phase 1 and subsequent expansions, thereby bringing Grupo Cobra into the project's EPC implementation framework.

Energy Fiji Limited plans to complete power purchase agreement negotiations with EPC Renewables before the first quarter of 2027, with the project targeting commercial operation no later than the first quarter of 2029. Under this timeline, the current phase focuses on due diligence, finalization of PPA terms, and the coordinated advancement of supporting transmission infrastructure alongside the generation project.

Upon completion, the Yaqara project will become one of the larger integrated solar-plus-storage facilities in Fiji. Fiji's current share of renewable energy generation stands at approximately 49%, and Energy Fiji Limited plans to increase this share to 60% by 2029 and 90% by 2035. Through large-scale battery systems that time-shift and regulate solar power, the project can release stored energy during peak hours, reducing the island grid's dependence on imported diesel generators while enhancing peak-shaving capability and power supply stability.

The project will also complement subsequent infrastructure development in the Yaqara area. EPC Renewables stated that a stable renewable energy supply can support the future construction of residential, tourism, commercial, industrial, port, and airport facilities in the region. The project is expected to create approximately 200 local jobs and will build a local renewable energy engineering workforce through electrical training, apprenticeship programs, and technical instruction.

From a project structure perspective, Yaqara is not merely a solar PV plant but adopts an integrated development model of "solar PV + energy storage + long-term PPA + supporting transmission." Phase 1, comprising 22MW of solar PV and 40MWh of energy storage, will serve as the project's engineering validation and initial power supply stage, while Phase 2 will expand the overall scale to 142MW and 240MWh. With the PPA expected to be finalized before Q1 2027, subsequent key milestones will center on financing closure, deepening of EPC contracts, transmission grid connection, and the commencement of Phase 1 construction.