Beyond Energy Access: How Renewable Energy Fosters Resilience in Island Communities

Ravita D. Prasad (), Devesh A. Chand, Semaan S. S. L. Lata and Rayash S. Kumar
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Ravita D. Prasad: College of Engineering & Technical Vocational Education & Training, Fiji National University, Derrick Campus, Samabula, Suva P.O. Box 3722, Fiji
Devesh A. Chand: College of Engineering & Technical Vocational Education & Training, Fiji National University, Derrick Campus, Samabula, Suva P.O. Box 3722, Fiji
Semaan S. S. L. Lata: College of Engineering & Technical Vocational Education & Training, Fiji National University, Derrick Campus, Samabula, Suva P.O. Box 3722, Fiji
Rayash S. Kumar: College of Engineering & Technical Vocational Education & Training, Fiji National University, Derrick Campus, Samabula, Suva P.O. Box 3722, Fiji

Resources, 2025, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-34

Abstract: People, communities, and economies in small island developing states are extremely vulnerable to climate change, disasters, and other crises. Renewable energy can play an important part in building the resilience of these communities. Three case studies were conducted in Fiji (i.e., a grid-connected secondary school with roof-top solar PV and biogas, an off-grid community with solar home systems, and a farm that uses solar PV for irrigation) to demonstrate how renewable energy initiatives build community resilience. This study used the community resilience framework, RETScreen tool, information gathered from key informants’ interviews, and secondary data sources to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses. It found that seven community assets, i.e., human, social, cultural, financial, natural, built, and political assets, are enhanced, leading to an increase in absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities for these communities. Furthermore, current research shows that human capital is one of the key instruments in the adoption of new innovative technologies. The results from this study can be used by decisionmakers to promote and implement similar technologies in communities, which not only provide clean electricity and clean cooking energy for climate change mitigation but also build community resilience.

Keywords: solar photovoltaic; biogas; community energy systems; resilience; natural disasters; small island developing state; energy access (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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