Summary
The importance of rural electrification has once again gained prominence
in 2006 through Government's allocation of $6 million for rural
electrification, as in the past two years.
As in previous years, the DOE/REU had earmarked 100 projects to
implement during the year, and 2005,
was no exceptional. In
2005 the DOE approved 104
villages/settlements for installation of diesel generators,
solar systems and/or FEA grid extension. Our
work-programme involved many aspects of work that included
rendering technical assistance to existing schemes; installation
of generators; repairs; preventative plant maintenance;
training; providing advisory role to the public. The
REU is looking at assisting 100 schemes in 2006. The spread and
distribution around the country will only be determined by the
10% contribution of the respective communities.
Commissioning of 2006 Project Reports Savu and Vatubalavu
RE Projects/RE Policy/RE Application Form
Diesel Scheme Implementation
Currently, diesel schemes seem to be the preferred option for our rural people who reside outside the grid network and in the outer islands. Unfortunately for DOE/REU, the approvals for the tender of generators and internal electrical works (house-wiring) for all approved schemes came in later in the year, and that left us with no options but to have the work carried out in early December 2005 and January 2006.
In 2005, a total of 11 diesel schemes were implemented. Of the 11 diesel schemes, there were 8 new schemes and 3 were upgrading and extension of existing schemes.
In our attempts to ensure the effectiveness in terms of quality of the service that was being provided, all electrical works (upgrading, service & maintenance, house-wiring, installation etc) has been contracted out to allow both Government bodies and private firms to participate in this rural electrification work. Inspection teams from the REU were mobilized to carry out the inspection of all installations undertaken around the country. Basically, the inspection team ensured that the work undertaken took into account the standards espoused by FEA for electrical installations and more so, the safety aspects inherent in the work of such nature.
Diesel Schemes Repair and Maintenance
With the budgetary allocation for 2005 and 2006, existing schemes were also being attended to for servicing and maintenance purposes. A total of about $450,000 was utilized for this important aspect of rural electrification. This aspect of the work is in line with the current offering under the policy. Further, the Government assists villages and settlements in the maintenance and repair of the schemes during the first three years from the date of commissioning. This important service was put in place by Government to ensure the vitality and overall sustainability of schemes implemented under the programme.
Another important aspect of rural electrification, which has prevailed for a number of years, is the need to amalgamate schemes that were constructed under the old policy (1974) into terms and conditions of the Rural Electrification Policy of 1993. Under the existing policy these particular schemes were to be upgraded or overhauled before being incorporated into the revised policy. Our continuous submissions in the past nine years for a budgetary allocation to cater for the upgrading of these schemes were rejected by the Ministry of Finance. As a result, these 200 schemes continue to be processed under the terms of the old policy, in that Government will continue to assist the villages twice a year in terms of maintenance and repair of the diesel generators.
However, with the enormous demand and considering the insufficient funding in the previous years, the schemes were only attended to on needs to basis. With such nominal services, the vitality of individual generators or schemes was greatly compromised and it required more resources to address the continuous request for repair of schemes.
With the funding provided for 2005 and 2006, one of the main areas that we had sought to address was the actual maintenance of rural electrification schemes. This is one of the attempts taken by the DOE to manage a possible snowballing effect in regards to schemes requiring urgent repairs. Further, to ensure consistency in the application of the policy, in some cases the REU also extended the maintenance and repair services to cater for schemes that had been installed for more than three years. Hence for 2005, we also included schemes that were installed in 1999 and 2000 to be part of those catered for under our maintenance programme.
Asivorosi
Raileqa, inspecting the generator in
Electricity Grid Extension Projects (FEA)
With the continuing collaboration with the FEA in respect to rural electrification, a total of 77 grid extension schemes were paid to the Fiji Electricity Authority. Despite some progress, the actual constructions of some lines were delayed due to the cash flow problems within FEA. These were the result of the increasing operational cost (running cost of diesel generators) and other structural problems that were encountered by the FEA. As a result of these problems, some of the schemes remain to be completed.
Solar Projects
A total of 215 households from ten (10) villages and settlements were installed with solar home systems by the REU in 2005.
Training
As part of the work that we carry out under the Government’s Rural Electrification Programme, the Department is also involved in the training of our rural communities especially in the operational and management aspects of schemes. This is one of the integral components of the policy in that it is one of the strategic initiatives in ensuring overall sustainability of rural electrification schemes installed in our communities.
Diesel Operators Training
The Diesel Operators training has been undertaken or attended to by most of our communities that have been assisted through this Department for the provision of electricity through a diesel system. The Department, with the assistance of the Centre and Appropriate Technology (CATD) in Nadave, conducts the basic operation and soft maintenance training for our communities that receive this assistance. Largely the training is undertaken at Nadave where we have appropriate facilities and also where a large number people can congregate. Three (3) trainings were held in CATD in 2005 with about 33 participants attending the four day workshop. However, it has been noted that involvement of distant communities have been rather subdued due to a number of reasons such as, geographical, transportation problems and other reasons. In light of the fact that we have a good number of schemes in outlying islands like Rotuma and Rabi, we feel that we are duty bound to ensure that the training is also undertaken in this islands.
Two trainings were held simultaneously in Rotuma from the 28/2/05 – 04/02/05 at the Ahau Government Station whereby 47 were trained under CATD Instructor for the Diesel Operators Training whilst 36 trained for the Management Training, conducted by Co-Op Training officer and assisted by Jimione Fereti and Sera Kama.
The Department also took the two
trainings to Rabi from the 6th – 9th of
June, 2005. Twenty-four
(24) trained under CATD Instructor whilst 28 trained for the
Management Training, conducted by Co-Op Training officer and
assisted by Sera Kama and
Diesel Operators Training - 2005
Management Training
In our quest to assist communities in managing and sustaining their schemes, we have also noted the importance of having formal training for our village committees. In this regard, as part of our rural electrification programme, we have put in place a package for enhancing the roles of village “Electrification Chairman” and their “Treasurers”.
Specifically for this particular training we involve the Cooperative Department and our people who would assist when required during this exercise.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION POLICY 1993
RURAL
ELECTRIFICATION APPLICATION FORM
Conclusion
The provision of electricity is considered as the potent force that has the capability to elevate and provide the much needed dynamism into the rural economy. Electricity is a pre-requisite for rural development, bringing about opportunities for economic gains and improvements in our overall standard of living.
The current policy administered by the DOE provides an opportunity to rural dwellers to reconcile their needs with that of the supply options and simultaneously select a more suitable option that will be able cater for such needs. Inherent in this policy is the opportunity of a rural consumer to select from a number of options. These options include;
a) Extension of the FEA Grid or the Supply from a Government Station,
b) Diesel Scheme,
c) Hydro
d) Solar.
Since the inception of the policy in 1974, to date a total of almost 600 schemes have been completed. Aside from improving our living standards it has the potential to elevate economic activities in rural areas. This has been experienced with a number of schemes installed, where consumers have incorporated income generating activities such as setting up bakeries, freezers (selling fish etc.) etc to supplement their existing incomes. In the social front, it provides a new dimension to initiating or enhancing services such as medical, telecommunication, improved education and other important social variables.
REU CONTACT DETAILS
Mailing Address
THE MANAGER
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION UNIT
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
P.O.
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
SUVA
Street Address (Location)
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION UNIT
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
79 RATU MARA ROAD
SAMABULA
SUVA
Telephone Contacts
3386 006
2. 3386 355
3. 3386 677
Fax 3386 301
Email energy@govnet.gov.fj
Copyright
(c) 2007 DOE. All rights reserved