South Pacific's first Sustainable Energy Expo shows opportunities for Tonga [1]
Friday, April 15, 2011 - 10:14. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 10:06.
The South Pacific's first Sustainable Energy Expo held in Nuku'alofa on April 12-13 showcased a range of energy efficient and renewable energy products and services for Tongan businesses and consumers and increased awareness of renewable energy products, services and opportunities.
The Expo is an initiative of Tonga's Energy Roadmap (TERM) in its aim to reduce Tonga's vulnerability to oil price shocks through the introduction of renewable energy and greater energy efficiency.
The Expo attracted local and foreign suppliers who have engaged with the private sector and government. The 23 exhibitors included 11 exhibitors from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and 12 local businesses.
Success
TERM Coordinator Lano Fonua said on April 13 that the expo was a success and stressed that Tonga can become a leader in renewable energy.
"It provided a platform where the creative minds in renewable energy and energy efficient products and services in Tonga and from overseas came together and showcased what they have got to offer to Tongan businesses in terms of reducing energy costs.
"At the same time helping to achieve the Government's aim of a 50% decrease in GHG emissions by 2020," he said.
Lano hoped that the expo would become an annual event in Tonga and that it could be even bigger and better in future.
"This was the first sustainable energy expo in the Pacific, and Tonga can become the centre of renewable energy in the region and may be in the next five to ten years solar panels will not be a new technology for us but an everyday technology and we can become a leader in this," he said.
Posters at the expo showed how Tonga's King George Tupou V has already reduced the Palace's carbon footprint. He owns a London Taxi electric vehicle while the Royal Palace is one of the most efficiently cooled buildings on Tongatapu.
Exhibitors
Local businesses participating in the Expo included PAO Plumbing, Courts, Tonga Communications Corporation, Kool Tonga, Fafa Island Resort, Asco Motors, E.M. Jones Ltd, and Pacific Timber and Hardware.
Renewable Energy and energy efficient service and products suppliers from overseas included Solar Islands Ltd. of New Zealand a company that builds and provides clean, affordable and scaleable power plants across the Pacific.
From Fiji was Clay Energy, Niu Industries Fiji Ltd. and CBS Power Solutions.
Clay Engineering specialises in renewable energy such as solar, hydro and wind power systems while Niu Industries Fiji Ltd specialises in the production and distribution of renewable diesel from coconut oil.
Participants presented an overview of their renewable energy services to government officials and business people during the official opening.
Announcing the imminent arrival in Tonga of the world's first solar powered boat expedition around the world, the founder the MS TÛRANOR PlanetSolar presented a video along with two crew, and ground staff of the expedition, including Swiss descendants of the Tongan branch of the Muller family.