Opposition to a controversial energy from waste project mooted for Vuda Point in western Viti Levu continues to gain momentum, as a new round of public consultations nears.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka has told media: “We would ask that it be relocated because that area is earmarked for tourism development.”
He continued: “Some of the hoteliers are not happy with the proposed project. That weighs heavily.”
TNG Fiji wants to build the facility, a port and industrial estate at Saweni/Vuda, a historically important part of Fiji, which is already home to a fuel depot, Vuda Marina and hotel and resort developments. It sits adjacent to historic Viseisei Village.
However the project has run into controversy, with residents launching an online petition bannered “Protect our heritage coast”.
The petition claims the project will require the importation of more than 700,000 tonnes of waste to operate, and calls for ‘tourism not trash’.
Concerns have also been raised about the process, and the inaccessibility of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report relating to the project.
Environment Minister Lynda Tabuya has acknowledged public concerns, extending the hours that the EIA report can be read
She also indicated that while access to EIA reports, including the requirement that people seeking a copy must pay $5 per page is required by law, the ministry is looking at ways to improve the accessibility of EIAs.
The full EIA was subsequently made publicly available on TNG Fiji’s own website.
TNG Fiji says the project “is backed by global leaders, meets EU environmental standards, and positions Fiji as a regional green energy and logistics hub.”
It says 80MW if reliable power could be produced from 900,000 tonnes of waste annually, powering up to 45% of Fiji’s grid.
Further opposition
The Momo Levu na Tui Vuda Ratu Eparama Tavaiqia has also documented his opposition to the project in a letter to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and TNG PTE Limited director Rob Cromb.
“This is not a matter of convenience — it is a matter of heritage, dignity and survival,” he wrote, noting the arrival of their ancestors at Naikorokoro more than 200 years ago.
“To pollute this sacred site with foreign waste is an insult to the vanua of Vuda and a dishonour to our ancestral legacy,” he continued.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Rugby Union and the Fiji Football Association have also noted their opposition to the Waste-to-Energy project.
And In New Zealand, Zero Waste Aotearoa is calling on the New Zealand government to explicitly reject the export of New Zealand’s waste to Fiji.
A solidarity campaign will be launched outside the Fijian High Commission in Wellington on Friday morning to express support for the communities in Fiji who are fighting this proposal.
Demonstrators are also planning to assemble against the proposal in Lautoka on Friday.
Further consultations
Further public consultations on the project are scheduled to commence this weekend.
• Saturday, 18 April 2026 – 7:00pm | Viseisei Village, Vuda
• Sunday, 19 April 2026 – 2:00pm | Naikorokoro, Vuda (Project Site)
• Monday, 20 April 2026 – 7:00pm | Lauwaki Village, Vuda
