Socio-Economic Impacts of Solar Powered Freezers in Rural Fishing Communities - Fiji Case Study
Abstract
Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) present significant challenges associated with energy poverty and lack of access to electricity, resulting in limited social mobility and economic development. While providing access to energy services, conventional fossil fuels are very costly and difficult to deliver to remote Pacific communities. Renewable energy sources can provide a cheaper and more reliable solution for these communities if integrated with aspects such as food and water security, health, education, and income-generating activities. This study explores the range of socio-economic impacts that energy access projects of this type can have in remote Pacific communities via a case study approach. Namely, this work presents a solar freezer project installed in 2015 in the small fishing village of Wainika in Fiji. Results show that the project has substantially contributed to food security, wider income opportunities, community infrastructure development, household support, improved education and healthcare, gender equality, and social mobility.
Keywords
Pacific islands, Energy poverty, Renewable energy, Pv systems, Socio-economic impacts, Remote communities