High Commission of India
Suva
Press Release
President of Fiji commissions the Solarization Project in State House.
In an elegant ceremony today, the President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere commissioned the Solar Photovoltaic Systems installed at the State House in Suva under the ‘Solarization of the Pacific Heads of State Residences’ (SHOS) Project funded by Government of India.
2. Among the dignitaries present on the occasion included Dr. Lesi Korovavala, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Government of Fiji) and Acting Secretary- General (PIDF), Ms. Yemesrach Workie, Deputy Resident Representative, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Pacific office, members of the Diplomatic Corps and senior officials from various Ministries and Agencies.
3. Government of India has so far contributed US$1.1 million through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund to the SHOS project, being implemented through Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) and UNDP across 12 Pacific Island countries.
4. In his remarks on the occasion, H.E President Katonivere profusely thanked the Government of India for the much needed initiative to promote the adoption of Solar power and renewable energy in the Pacific region. Describing the SHOS project as a model of the whole of society approach and effective multi-stakeholder partnership, he expressed the hope that the successful commissioning in State House would encourage more people to adopt solar power in Fiji and also show the path for Pacific countries to transition from just being energy consumers to become both energy producers and consumers.
5. On the occasion, a special mobile App to measure the energy generated through grid connected solar system was also launched by the Fijian President jointly with Shri P. S. Karthigeyan, High Commissioner of India to Fiji and Ms. Yemesrach Workie, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Pacific.
6. In Fiji, besides the State House, the Meeting Hall (Ulunivuaka) of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) and the official residence of Paramount Chief of the Kubuna Confederacy (Mataiwelagi) both in Chiefly Island of Bau were also solarized under the SHOS project earlier this year.
7. The installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in other Pacific Island countries are expected to be completed early next year.
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