Thousands of households in rural areas of Fiji, that previously did not have access to electricity, are expected to receive full power supply in the next five years.

Minister for Infrastructure Pio Tikoduadua says the government aims to provide various forms of electricity supply to both rural and maritime islands.

“At the moment we have this whole range of mix of electricity power solutions I’m talking about communities and people away from the island from using powers and, diesel generators. We want to go more into solar energy and i think that seems to be perhaps the attraction at the moment due to the high cost of diesel power.”

Minister for Infrastructure Pio Tikoduadua says the government’s rural electrification project will require a holistic approach.

He adds there is a need to tap into renewable energy as opposed to a reliance on fossil fuels.

The government allocated $19.5m to fund the rural electrification project this year.

This is an increase of 9-point-five million dollars from last year.