Japan provides grant for mega-solar power plant [1]
Friday, March 22, 2013 - 21:56. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
From left, Lord Tu'ivakano and HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro exchanged Notes for a Project to introduce a micro-grid System in Tonga. Fa'onelua Convention Centre, Nuku'alofa, March 21, 2013.
The Government of Japan has committed $2.95 million pa'anga for the installation of a micro-grid control system at the Maamai Mai Solar Farm and a 1 mega-watt photovoltaic generator at Vaini to help Tonga's Energy Road Map move forward.
Japan's Ambassador to Tonga, HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro, signed and exchanged notes with Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano on a ' Project for the Introduction of a Micro-Grid System with Renewable Energy' for the Tonga Energy Road Map during the Pacific Leaders Energy Summit in Nuku'alofa on March 21.
Dr Kazuchika said the project will install a micro-grid control system at the Maamai Solar Farm at Popua to enable Tonga Power Ltd. expand its renewable energy power production capacity and implement the Tonga Energy Road Map steadily.
The project will also provide a 1-mega watt photovoltaic generator at Vaini, with another micro-grid system to be connected with the existing hybrid power generation system in Popua. The project is expected to be completed by the end of March 2015.
He said these mircro-grid control systems will enable each generator, either a PV generator or a diesel generator, to better coordinate and reduce load to the diesel generator caused by the fluctuation of power generation of a PV generator. "As Tonga implements TERM the fluctuation cannot be ignored, it needs to be minimized to prevent damages to the diesel generator caused by unexpected overload and secure stable energy supply," he said.
Renewable Energy
"Renewable energy is one of the pillars of the community. I emphasize the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency for reducing green house gas emissions as well as achieving sustainable development. In particular, renewable energy is also to mitigate the vulnerability of Pacific Island countries to socio-economic impacts caused by the volatility of the diesel fuel prices."
Dr Kazuchika said Japan hopes the project will not only increase the ratio of photovoltaic power generation towards the road map target but improve the current and extended hybrid system in Tongatapu.
"We expect this project provide a model of an on-grid system in Tonga towards the further implementation of the road map," he said.
Grant
Mr Makoto Tsujimoto the Resident Representative of Japan's International Cooperation Agency Tonga office also signed the Grant Agreement with Lord Tu'ivakano formalizing the arrangement for the implementation of the project, at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.
The grant is made under Japan's Grant Aid for Environmental and Climate Change Countermeasures.