Students in isolated Fijian communities will soon benefit from renewable energy in their classrooms through the latest Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership.
Australia and Its Time Foundation Invest in School Solar
The Australian Government is partnering with Its Time Foundation through the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) to invest $278,000 AUD ($417,924.37 FJD) in a model for the effective monitoring and maintenance of solar energy systems in remote Fijian schools. The Australian Government will contribute A$210,000, while Its Time Foundation will cover the remaining amount through cash or in-kind contributions.
Image: Collected
Solar Project at Buakonikai School will serve as a Model
Building on its history of installing 30 remote school solar systems, Its Time Foundation will install a high-quality solar system at Buakonikai Primary School on Rabi Island, Fiji, as part of this partnership. This installation will provide reliable 24-hour power to the school and teachers’ homes.
This project will serve as a model for high-quality design, installation, and remote monitoring, with the aim of minimizing future maintenance requirements. An independent maintenance funding model will also be developed to ensure ongoing resources are available. The model is designed to be scalable for other schools in Fiji and remote Pacific communities.
Sustainable Energy for Fijian Schools
This project underscores Australia’s dedication to climate action in Fiji by emphasizing sustainable renewable energy through effective operations and maintenance. This commitment will help schoolchildren in remote communities access reliable energy, enhancing their education and improving outcomes for current and future generations.
“We’re excited to build on our record of installing 30 remote school solar systems in Fiji to develop a sustainable maintenance and funding model that will keep the lights on for remote school communities in Fiji and beyond, now and into the future,” said Rob Edwards OAM, Its Time Foundation’s Founder.
“This will enable children and young people in remote communities to access all the benefits of a modern education that increasingly relies on computers and other electronic resources, while improving the quality of life for the wider community and reducing carbon emissions,” he added.
Expanding Renewable Energy Access Through Partnerships
The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships are an initiative of the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), created to expand AIFFP’s climate investments. Implemented by the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP), this effort involves collaborating with businesses to provide reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
This marks the third Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership to be announced and the first for Fiji, following previous launches in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
