Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, at Pre-COP31 in Fiji.
Pic: AIFFP website
Australia is backing three off-grid solar projects in Papua New Guinea and Fiji that are expected to reach more than 75,000 people. Two projects in Oro Province and Bougainville account for more than 66,000 of those expected to benefit, while the Fiji project will bring solar power and internet access to 13 remote schools.
Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced the projects in Fiji on 7 October 2026 at a pre-COP31 session on energy security and electricity access in the Pacific.
Pay-as-you-go solar for Oro
Sola PayGo and MiBank will roll out pay-as-you-go solar home systems, streetlights and education servers in 19 communities between Popondetta and the Kokoda Track. The project is expected to reach around 55,000 people. It will also provide technical training and help residents build financial and digital skills.
In Bougainville, Save the Children and the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Department of Education will install solar panels and batteries at five remote schools in Tinputz. The schools will also manage a solar lantern scheme that will provide safer lighting to up to 2,000 nearby homes. The two parts of the project are expected to reach more than 11,400 people.
Solar power and internet for Fiji schools
It’s Time Foundation and Fiji’s Ministry of Education will install solar and battery systems at 13 remote schools and teachers’ homes across Vanua Levu, Viti Levu, Taveuni and the Yasawa Islands. Each school will also receive Starlink internet, laptops and smart televisions, benefiting more than 1,200 students. The rollout builds on a 2024 pilot at Buakonikai Primary School on Rabi Island and the foundation’s earlier REnew Pacific project to bring solar power to more than 30 remote schools.
The announcement brings REnew Pacific’s portfolio to 13 locally led projects across seven countries. In less than two years, the program has reached more than 255,000 people through projects powering over 8,100 homes, 98 schools and 49 health centres. It builds on Australia’s Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships pilots, launched in 2024 across six countries, including Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
