Fiji Geothermal Energy Resources Assessment and Development Program

Abstract

The Fiji Department of Energy (DOE) has a comprehensive resource assessment program which assesses and promotes the use of local renewable energy resources where they are economically viable; DOE is currently involved in the investigation of the extent of geothermal resources for future energy planning and supply purposes. The aim is to determine (a) whether exploitable geothermal fields exist in the Savusavu of Labasa areas, the two geothermal fields with the greatest potential, (b) the cost of exploiting these fields for electricity generation/process heat on Vanua Levu and, (C) the comparative cost per mega-watt-hour (MWH) of geothermal electricity generation with other generating options on Vanua Levu. Results to date have indicated that prospects for using geothermal resource for generating electricity lies in Savusavu only-whereas the Labasa resource can only provide process heat. All geophysical surveys have been completed and the next stage is for deep drilling to verify the theoretical findings and subsequent development.