SPC and PPA join hands to address regional energy needs [1]
Sunday, November 6, 2011 - 11:56. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
THE Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Pacific Power Association (PPA), the two leading development agencies in the Pacific region's energy sector, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), effectively enabling the intergovernmental organisations to combine their resources and offer greater assistance and benefits to Pacific Islands countries and territories (PICTs).
SPC Director-General Dr Jimmie Rodgers and PPA Executive Director Mr Andrew Daka signed the MOU at SPC's headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia, where high level foreign affairs officials from 22 PICTs are attending SPC's annual meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations.
'This MOU allows SPC to collaborate more closely with PPA to assist our members achieve their national development outcomes in the energy sector,' said Dr Rodgers.
'There are natural synergies between PPA, which works with regional power utilities, and SPC, which provides regulatory assistance with the energy sector as well as technical support and policy advice on alternative sources of energy,' he said.
'It is based on a genuine spirit of partnership in which the agencies seek to enhance and complement each other's efforts, while building on their individual natural strengths and areas of primary expertise,' he added.
Mr Daka commented, 'The strengthened partnership allows PPA and SPC to cooperate and, as a result, there will be greater efficiency and less duplication in delivering services to our member countries.'
SPC has taken a lead agency role in the energy sector as a result of the regional institutional framework reform since 2010.
'This role has enabled SPC to coordinate more effectively with partners working in the region's energy sector through the premise of 'many partners, one team, and PPA is a very important partner in this regard,' said Dr Rodgers.
SPC's efforts in the energy sector are guided by the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific, where it is stated that 'energy security exists when all people at all times have access to sufficient sustainable sources of clean and affordable energy and services to enhance their social and economic well-being'.
'PPA's activities are guided by its Strategic Plan 20112012, with its goal of assisting PICT utilities to improve energy security by using petroleum more efficiently, obtaining supplies at affordable prices and reducing dependence over time,' said Mr Daka.
'PPA's strategic plan has very strong linkages to the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific and hence it makes sense for the two organisations to work together in delivering services to the islands,' he added.
In April this year, at the inaugural regional meeting of ministers for energy, information and communication technology (ICT) and transport held in Noumea, the ministers endorsed the implementation plan for the Framework and its energy security indicators.
Many Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) have now formulated energy roadmaps and charts on how they will improve their energy security situation over time.
The 42nd Pacific Islands Forum held in September agreed on the value of developing credible 'whole of sector' plans, such as energy roadmaps and structures to improve energy security, reduce dependency on fossil fuel for electricity generation and improve access to electricity.
'Under the MOU, SPC and PPA will develop joint approaches and work plans when supporting member countries and will undertake joint consultations with countries during the development phases,' said Dr Rodgers. SPC, 04/11/11.