Fiji Rural Electrification Fund Support Project

The Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF) support project aims to foster the development of rural mini grids to improve access to clean, affordable, and reliable renewable energy. 

In doing so, it plans to also diversify Fiji’s energy mix to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the Fijian power sector, contribute to national electricity access objectives and promote gender-balanced economic growth using electricity as an enabler for inclusive sustainable development.  
 
The project will seek to electrify at least 20 rural communities in 4 years to support the expeditious implementation of FREF as well as demonstrate best practices to shore up investments in FREF and its rural electrification objectives while building long term implementation and management capacity within the Department of Energy to continue FREF on a long-term basis. 

It will benefit at least 6,500 Fijians and avoid over 2,920 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by installing over approximately 2 megawatts of renewable energy.

The provision of electricity is combined with modern auxiliary services such as smart meters, mobile payment, digital connectivity and clean water and sanitation solutions to - among other things – induce productive electricity use cases and lift standards of living in rural communities. 

The ability to productively harness the provided clean electricity is expected to enable rural Fijians to increase community income through multiple economic activities, reduce social inequality and promote gender inclusivity. All of which also contributes to building more climate informed resilient livelihoods.

Grievance Redress Mechanism

The primary purpose of FREF Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is to provide affected stakeholders with a safe, predictable, and credible channel for raising concerns related to project activities. The mechanism seeks to resolve grievances promptly and fairly, prevent escalation into conflict, protect the rights and livelihoods of communities, and strengthen the overall social and environmental performance of the Project.  

The GRM applies to grievances that are perceived or actual and that relate to project-supported activities, responsible parties, contractors, or private sector entities benefiting from project activities. This includes grievances related to social or environmental impacts (property damage, access and mobility, cultural heritage, behavioural issues, gender-based violence - SEA/SH, pollution, resource depletion, land degradation, biodiversity, access to natural resources), benefit sharing arrangements, labour and working conditions, discrimination, workplace safety, gender equality and social inclusion.  

Grievance Redress Procedure

Multi-row, color-coded flowchart of complaint handling steps from receipt to escalation, with icons.

GRM Contact information:

Ashneel Chandra                                                                 Catherine Heritage

FREF Project Coordinator                                                   FREF Project Associate

Phone: +679 844 4056                                                       Phone: +679 715 2031

E-mail: ashneel.amitesh.chandra@undp.org                     E-mail: catherine.heritage@undp.org 

 

SUBMIT YOUR GRIEVANCE

To submit your grievance, please state your name, phone contact, e-mail contact and a description of the grievance to the above-mentioned e-mail addresses and we will respond as soon as possible. 

Impact

START DATE

September 2024

END DATE

December 2028

STATUS

Ongoing

PROJECT OFFICE

Fiji

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

UNDP

DONORS

GOVERNMENT OF FIJI

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

$7,048,181

DELIVERY IN PREVIOUS YEARS

2025$818,512

2026$15,884

Full Project information