Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
22 March, 2026, 10:06 am
Central - 28°C Rain
22 March, 2026, 10:06 am Central - 28°C Rain
EFL

Undergrounding cables is expensive and someone will have to pay for it – Patel

Undergrounding cables is expensive and someone will have to pay for it – Patel

By Semi Turaga
12/01/2021
Energy Fiji Limited CEO Hasmukh Patel. [image: File]

Energy Fiji Limited says undergrounding which is the replacement of overhead power cables with underground cables is very expensive and in some cases can be impractical.

When asked if EFL has a long term plan to do undergrounding for more areas considering Fiji’s vulnerability to natural disasters, CEO Hasmukh Patel says at the end of the day someone has to be paid for it.

He says money is not going to fall from the sky.

Patel says EFL will have to get that money from somewhere and there is a concept called - user pay.

Patel says there has been undergrounding of power cables in some areas like in the four lane Queens Highway in Nadi.

He says they are looking at some areas to underground in the future.

Patel adds they already have about a thousand kilometres of underground power network.


FEATURE NEWS
Rising dental issues among children a growing concern - Dr Lalabalavu
Minister for Health Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has raised concerns over the increasing number of dental problems among children in Fiji, warning that t...
17 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Protecting wildlife is protecting Fiji - Senior Environment Officer
Ministry of Environment's Senior Environment Officer, Kelera Tokalau says protecting wildlife is protecting ourselves and is calling for stronger ...
3 minutes ago

Rewa Vutia Road Project to boost connectivity for 11 villages
The Rewa Vutia Road Dredging Project has officially begun, marking a major step forward in improving infrastructure and connectivity for communities ...
48 minutes ago

Iran strikes Israeli city of Dimona, injuring 47 people
Iran has struck the southern Israeli city of Dimona with a missile, injuring at least 47 people. The apparent target was a nuclear facility located ...
2 hours ago

Trump says US considering winding down war in Iran but other nations must guard Hormuz
US President Donald Trump says the US is considering "winding down" operations against Iran, but that other nations must guard the Strait of ...
17 hours ago

Lessons from home key to child development, says Saro
The important part of a child's growth in today’s society is the lessons learned from home.This was highlighted by Acting Senior Administrative ...
17 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Sports Council Saga: Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
16 days ago

National Talanoa Session on Illicit Drugs in Fiji: 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025
The illicit drug situation in Fiji has been described as a national emergency, with 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025. Minister for Policing ...
23 days ago

Charlie Charters held at Nadi Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file
Fijian national, Charlie Charters is being held at immigration at Nadi International Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file.fijivillage News has ...
23 days ago

TOP