Fiji is looking towards renewable sources of energy in an effort to limit its reliance on imported fossil fuel.
Professor of Physics at the University of South Pacific, Dr Anirudh Singh, says alternative energy systems like hydro power are important to future economic development.
"I'm not sure that it is political or not, I think it is born out of sheer necessity. The country has realised that its fuel bill was sky rocketing and we had to do something. Energy as we I think all realise is a very basic necessity for development."
Dr Singh told the Fiji Economy Update Seminar yesterday it is estimated forty thousand rural households in Fiji are without electricity and efforts are underway to provide them with access to renewable energy sources.
