A new REnew Pacific project led by the Its Time Foundation will bring 24/7 clean energy, high-speed internet and digital learning tools to 30 remote schools and teachers’ homes across Fiji.
Many of these schools currently rely on costly diesel generators that run for only a few hours a day, which limits learning, digital access and safety.
By installing high-quality off-grid solar systems and computer labs, the project will help close the education gap for thousands of students across mainland Viti Levu and outer islands including Rabi, Taveuni, Kadavu, Moala, Kabara and the Yasawas.
The initiative builds on the successful pilot at Buakonikai Primary School, delivered under the BPP Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership. Just months after installation, the school reported improved learning outcomes, better digital access and more than AUD 6,000 in annual fuel savings, which was all reinvested in education.
Find out more and watch a short film about the project.
Rob Edwards OAM, Founder, Its Time Foundation, said: “This new partnership marks a major step forward in our mission to ensure every child in Fiji has access to safe, modern education, regardless of where they live.
“We’re building on the success of our earlier pilot to bring reliable solar power, internet connectivity and long-term sustainability to 30 more remote schools. It’s not just about clean energy – it’s about opportunity, equity and lasting impact for communities across the Pacific.”
Kaushik Lal, Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education, said: “Providing solar power to remote schools brings light to classrooms, hope to students and relief to teachers. It powers learning, reduces costs and protects the planet, turning every sunrise into a promise of opportunity, resilience and a brighter future for education.”
Now scaled through REnew Pacific, the project introduces a dedicated maintenance model backed by the Solar Fund (Fiji), along with Starlink internet and basic computer labs to support e-learning. Fuel savings will help cover ongoing costs, making the systems financially sustainable for schools long into the future.
Delivered in partnership with Fiji’s Ministry of Education, the project also supports gender equity through training for women in solar installation and technical trades.
REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, including Fiji.
Over the next five years, REnew Pacific will continue to support community-led projects that bring clean, reliable energy to remote and rural off-grid communities, powering everything from lighting and clean water to healthcare, education and local enterprise.
REnew Pacific responds directly to the Pacific’s call for urgent climate action, showcasing Australia’s climate leadership and partnership in tackling the region’s greatest shared challenge. It sits within the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350 million initiative delivered through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and implemented by Palladium.