Fiji rejects controversial Vuda Point energy and port proposal

Fiji's Department of Environment has formally rejected a controversial energy-from-waste and private port proposal at Vuda Point, citing failure to meet required environmental assessment standards. The decision follows a detailed technical review of the Environmental Impact Assessment report submitted by The Next Generation Holdings (Fiji) Pte Limited.

“

This is not a decision against investment or against new waste solutions. It is a decision on whether the EIA Report met the legal and technical standards required for approval. It did not.

The proposed development had sparked significant public debate and concern, with strong submissions from landowners, residents, civil society groups, and industry stakeholders. The Department identified key unresolved issues in the proposal, including the project's scale, waste sourcing and importation, disposal of hazardous ash, water supply, public health risks, and broader environmental and infrastructure impacts. Concerns were also raised about social and cultural effects, tourism, road and port infrastructure demands, and the project's economic justification.

“

For a project of this scale, the Department must be satisfied that the risks to people, communities, the environment, culture, livelihoods and the economy are properly assessed and can be properly managed.

Dr. Sivendra Michael, Permanent Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, emphasized that the rejection was based strictly on the submitted report and legal requirements, not on opposition to investment or new waste solutions. He stated that for a project of this magnitude, the Department must be satisfied that potential risks are properly assessed and managed. Several critical matters remained unresolved and were proposed for future assessment, preventing the Department from being satisfied that impacts and risks could be adequately addressed.

“

Several critical matters remained unresolved and were proposed for future assessment rather than being addressed within the EIA itself.

The Ministry expressed gratitude to all parties who participated in the consultation process and reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, evidence-based environmental decision-making in the public interest.

“

As a result, the Department was not satisfied that the potential impacts and risks of the project could be adequately assessed or managed.