FIJI’S President his Excellency, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, has urged Pacific Island’s Countries (PIC’s) to adopt and promote renewable energy in the region.

Fiji is one of the two leading countries in terms of adopting renewable methods of meeting its energy needs.

“Around 66.8 per cent of Fiji’s electricity requirements is met through energy sources which include 62.1 per cent hydro, 0.6 per cent wind and other renewable resource 4.1 per cent biomass,” the head of state said.

The President told participants at the Pacific Roll Out of the International Year for Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) event, that improving renewable energy in the region would lead to decreasing heavy reliance on fossil fuel by PIC’s.

He added that the heavy reliance on fossil fuel and the vulnerability of PICs along with increasing prices is a double blow given the PIC’s fragile economies and environment.

“For small island states like ours, the situation is no longer confined solely to an energy security situation, rather it poses as an imminent threat to the security of our economy, livelihoods and our sovereignty as a nation”, Ratu Epeli said.

He pointed out that Fiji, like any country in the region, is heavily dependent on imported fuel to meet major component of its energy demands.

“As such, Fiji is vulnerable to the continuous fluctuations of world crude oil prices,” Ratu Epeli said.

He highlighted that the international year for SE4ALL will therefore aim at increasing the need to address energy issues and hopes that governments, businesses and civil society will commit to take concrete actions to achieving sustainable energy by 2030.

The Roll Out in the Pacific is a collaborative effort by the Fiji government, regional and international agencies in the Pacific and private sector counterparts that is being conducted prior to the Rio+20 conference to demonstrate the Pacific’s commitment to acquire sustainable energy.