With support from Business Assistance Fiji (BAF) and a $20,000 Business Support Grant from Business Link Pacific (Climate Category), Naodamu Supermarket in Fiji has taken a major step toward greater sustainability and energy independence.
Before the Grant: high costs and heavy reliance on the grid
Located in a quiet suburb just outside Labasa town, the family-owned Naodamu Supermarket serves around 300 customers and employs ten people. Like many small businesses in Fiji, the supermarket was heavily reliant on electricity from the national grid, an expensive burden especially for refrigeration and lighting.
Owner Satend Prasad discovered the Business Link Pacific (BLP) Business Support Grant through the BLP website. Motivated by the opportunity to cut energy costs and operate more sustainably, he began the application process. Despite the challenge of gathering paperwork and quotations, Prasad pushed through, determined to bring change to his business.
After the Grant: a solar-powered transformation
The grant was fully used to fund the installation and commissioning of a rooftop solar panel system, which became fully operational on 11 April 2025. Today, the system powers all of the supermarket’s lighting, chillers, and freezers, significantly lowering energy bills and enhancing the business’s resilience.
To manage the new system effectively, the supermarket uses a mobile app that tracks real-time solar production and energy consumption. This allows the team to monitor daily savings, detect issues early, and optimize usage – all from a smartphone.
While the solar system has only been operational for a few weeks, the impact is already clear. Prasad is confident that the savings will allow the business to reinvest in stock, improve customer service, and offer greater financial security for staff.
A family business with a vision for the future
Adding to the success story is Prasad’s son, who is actively involved in day-to-day operations and passionate about renewable energy and business management. Tech-savvy and forward-thinking, he manages the solar app and proudly notes. “At this rate, with the Labasa weather we will be able to sell electricity back to Energy Fiji Limited (EFL),” he says.
Going solar hasn’t just cut costs, it’s reduced the supermarket’s carbon footprint and strengthened customer loyalty. Locals have praised the initiative, seeing it as a positive move for both the environment and the community.
Looking ahead, Naodamu Supermarket plans to invest in energy-efficient appliances and better waste management, continuing its journey toward a greener, more sustainable future.
“The grant has made a real difference for our business and our community. We are very grateful for the support,” shared Prasad.
BLP facilitates access to business advisory services and financial support. To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.
The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.