Assessing Offshore Wind Power Potential in Fiji : A GIS-based Site Suitability and Feasibility Analysis

Abstract: Renewable energy, including offshore wind power, is expected to play a significant role in mitigating climate change and meeting a growing demand on electricity. Fiji, a Small Island Developing Nation in the South Pacific, needs large quantities of additional renewable energy to achieve its NDC goals and has good natural resources for offshore wind power. The purpose of the study is to analyse the technical potential for fixed and floating offshore wind power, identify the most suitable site (s), perform economic feasibility analysesfor different-sized offshore wind farms and determine possible emission reductions from offsetting electricity generation based on fossil fuels. The objectives are achieved through a literature study, interviews, a GIS-based multi-criteria site suitability analysis and feasibility calculations. In the study it was concluded that there is great potential for offshore wind power in Fiji. There are large areas with technical potential for fixed and floating offshore wind power and the most suitable sites, both located in the Bligh waters, have average wind speeds of 8.6 m/s and 8.5 m/s. The potential for offshore wind power was concluded to be large enough for Fiji’s needs, economically feasible and potentially competitive to invest in. The simple payback time would be approximately 13.5 years and the cost of electricity would be 0.13 USD/kWh, which is lower than the feed-in tariff for Fiji’s national grid at 0.15 USD/kWh. Different-sized offshore wind farms and its possible emission reductions could contribute with between 12-37% of Fiji’s NDC goal to reduce emissions from the energy sector by 30% compared to a business as usual scenario as well as contribute to have 99% renewable grid-connected electricity generation by 2030. However, during the study, it was concluded an implementation of offshore wind power in Fiji would require large investments, large capacities of energy storage, frequency regulating services and there are potential environmental and social impacts have to be taken into consideration. There is also a need for further research on how to cyclone-proof offshore wind farms in Fiji.