32 pending rural electrification schemes since 2017-2018 financial year

Minister for Infrastructure Jone Usamate says as of March this year, there are 32 pending rural electrification schemes from the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 financial years.

Usamate has told parliament that these schemes cost $80.8 million and they are expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

He says once completed, 10,000 Fijians will benefit from the project.

Usamate adds the government is also funding house wiring to connect all houses to the EFL grid.

He says 1,258 housing wirings are under construction and 1,496 house wiring materials are under procurement.

The Minister adds 80% of Fijians are connected to Energy Fiji Limited grid extension programs in the four islands in which EFL operates.

These islands are Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau.

Usamate further says the rest of Fiji is connected to power through rural government stations, solar home systems, solar hybrid systems and diesel generators.

He adds for the grid extension program which EFL has been managing since 2014, the Government has commissioned around 491 rural electrification schemes benefiting around 12,648 households with a total value of $85.1 million.