SUVA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) said it is facing one of the most difficult operating periods in recent years as low water levels at the Monasavu Dam, rising fuel costs and the threat of prolonged dry conditions place increasing pressure on the country's power supply.
The company is closely monitoring Fiji's hydro resources as the country moves further into the dry season, reported the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation news website on Tuesday.
EFL Chief Executive Officer Fatiaki Gibson revealed that water levels at the Monasavu Dam, Fiji's main source of renewable electricity generation, are currently below EFL's preferred operating threshold, prompting the company to take early precautionary measures to maintain a stable power supply.
He said EFL is also preparing for the possibility of a severe El Nino event, with climate forecasts indicating that the Western Pacific could experience an extended period of reduced rainfall.
At the same time, volatility in international oil markets and higher fuel prices are increasing the cost of thermal electricity generation, which EFL relies on more heavily when hydro resources decline.
Hydropower, particularly from the Monasavu hydro scheme in the central highlands of Viti Levu, Fiji's main island, supplies a substantial share of the country's electricity, but prolonged dry spells often force greater dependence on costly diesel-powered generation. ■