Solar power and renewable energy top priority for Tonga [1]
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 18:15. Updated on Thursday, September 12, 2013 - 18:24.
Officials at the launching of the National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2013. Nuku'alofa 12 September 2013.
Tonga's government places a top priority on developing solar power in Tongatapu, along with outer islands renewable energy projects, in its new blueprint for infrastructure development over the next five years.
Also ranked highly desirable are projects to extend the fibre-optic cable to Ha‘apai and Vava‘u, and to develop national communications for early warning and disaster recovery, along with improving water supplies in the outer islands.
The launching of the National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2013 (NIIP) by Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu at the International Dateline Hotel this week identified thirteen high priority projects worth $170 million pa‘anga.
Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu
The National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2013 builds upon the first National Infrastructure investment Plan that was published in 2010. The document outlines major initiatives in economic infrastructure (energy, transport, water, telecommunications and solid waste management) over the next five to ten years.
The 13 high priority projects are:
1. Installation of 1-2MW of Solar Power Vaults on Tongatapu
2. The Outer Islands On-Grid Renewable Energy Project
3. Fibre-Optic Cable to Ha‘apai and Vava‘u
4. Communications for Early Warning and Disaster Recovery
5. Outer Islands Water Supply Improvements
6. Expand Nuku’alofa System to Growth Areas
7. New Landfill or Transfer Station on Ha‘apai
8. Outer Islands Roads Upgrading Program
9. Maritime Sector Safety and Resilience
10. Resurfacing Ha‘apai Airport runway, apron, taxiway
11. New Control Tower at Fua‘amotu International Airport
12. Coastal Protection - Eastern Tongatapu
13. Disaster Response and Evacuation Infrastructure.
Constrained budget
The National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2013 also states a greater focus on “sustainable investments and improved asset management”, greater prioritization around a constrained budget, and increased attention to climate change and disaster risk management.
The Deputy Prime Minister, stated that the National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2013 will be a new reference for guiding investment priorities focused in the areas of transport, communications and utilities. The National Infrastructure Investment Plan 2013 was prepared by the Government of Tonga with technical support from the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF).