Nukubati: A Resort Heralding Change in Sustainability

During a recent working visit to Fiji to research for the EXI-Pacific Green Hydrogen analyses, a project by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the German Chambers for Green Tech, our project managers, Iris Heinz und Julia Hahn, sat down with Jenny and Peter Bourke, the owners of Nukubati Resort.

Nukubati Great Sea Reef is a resort tucked away in the Fijian archipelago.?The resort is castaway on an idyllic secluded island, just a stone’s throw away from the northern shores of Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island. However, the resort captivated our attention for reasons other than being a dream getaway; the off-the-beaten-track location captured our attention for our ongoing project on implementing green hydrogen mini-grid systems to replace diesel generators in Fiji.

Leading the Front on Sustainability

When we sat down with Jenny and Peter, it became clear that an entrepreneurial, forward-thinking vision was the life force behind Nukubati's success. The vision set 33 years ago was ambitious – to turn a barren island covered with palm trees into an environmentally friendly, sustainable tourism operation. In addition, the couple faced the headwinds of implementing sustainable tourism practices decades before it became the talk on the mainland and among the many sustainability commitments that now bind tourism operators in the Pacific region.?

The most overt testament to these challenges and forward-thinking vision is the many solar panels scattered across their resort, a centrepiece entrenched in the couple's mission. This system has been a work in progress; when the couple installed the solar plant, they were the first in Fiji to do so. Due to the lack of available materials, the first plant consisted of 72 2v lead acid batteries for backup storage and a custom-built 48v inverter. This system would last 26 years until 2016 when the couple installed a more efficient and up-to-date storage system that continues to power the resort.

Sustainability Above and Below Ground

The solar plant is the most visible part of an ecosystem the couple has developed to ensure the resort adheres to its original vision—even the banalest features, including building design, considered energy efficiency and sustainability.

The bungalows were designed to enable sea breezes to seamlessly flow through the rooms, keeping guests comfortable and eliminating the need for air conditioning units.

Hidden within the resort, the couple has developed a desalination plant fed by seawater and powered by solar. This contingency measure ensures freshwater is available during the dry season. The plant is part of an intricate water network that compliments the rainwater harvested from the resort’s roof. The water is then filtered using UV. Hot water is achieved using a network of solar water heaters.

The breadth of the operation takes place in the elaborate waste management system, which combines wastewater and food. The grey water is completely sterilised using UV light and reused to feed the gardens and tropical permaculture system. Sewage is treated using bio-cycle methods. Food scraps are composted and provided to Nukubati's traditional permaculture gardens and fruit trees. Each process is based on indigenous knowledge passed down through generations of Fijians.?

The Path Forward: Changing Times

One of the most pressing challenges is completely waning the resort of diesel generators which are occasionally used. These have proven unreliable, especially with supply-chain shocks. Diesel also contributes to emissions, and in Nukubati's case, the remote location means that a litre costs NZD$ 3.60, a significant operating expense. Currently, the couple is searching for solutions for a resilient and efficient fuel supply that is both renewable and inexpensive.

In scenarios like this, implementing green hydrogen mini-grid systems provides resilience for tourism operators through a clean-energy and efficient solution that is two or three times more efficient than standard combustion engines, such as the ones seen in diesel generators.

Just as the interview wrapped up, we asked Peter the simple question, “Why?” He smiled at Jenny and said, “I had a dream!”