The community living on the remote island of Niuafo'ou, in Tonga's far north, can now access a 24-hour power supply, through a new solar mini-grid that was commissioned on Friday, 11 October, under the Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP).
Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho and Princess Halaevalu commissioned the Solar Mini-grid system at Niuafo’ou.
They were accompanied by the Minister for MEIDECC, Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, the Australian High Commissioner, HE Brek Batley, and senior delegations from ADB, Tonga Power Limited, and the Prime Minister’s Office.
MEIDECC stated that this is a significant milestone for the people and remote communities of Niuafo'ou, who now have access to electricity not only for limited hours during the day, but 24 hours, seven days a week.
“I wish to reaffirm the Government’s commitment and Tonga’s unwavering faith on renewable energy as a key to addressing the single greatest threat to small island developing states - climate change,” said the Hon. ‘Utoikamanu during the commissioning.
Meanwhile, works are being undertaken under the same project, for the Ha'apai islands of Tungua and Mo'unga'one, and four islands in the Vava'u group including Hunga, 'Otea, Falevai, and Ofu.
Tonga Renewable Energy Project
The Niuafo'ou solar mini-grid was funded under the co-financed Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP), through the assistance of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Australian Aid, and the Government of Tonga with the support of Tonga Power Limited, and the Principal Contractor, Infratec NZ and its sub-contractors during the installation stage.
The Tonga Renewable Energy Project has funded the successful installation of battery energy storage system and modernized Tonga Power Limited’s central control center on Tongatapu, as well as the installation of solar photovoltaic plants and battery energy storage systems on ‘Eua and Vava’u. The project is also constructing hybrid minigrid systems on eight outer islands in the Ha’apai and Vava’u Groups, as well as supporting TPL prepare a power purchase agreement for private sector funded investment to help achieve the government’s target of 70% renewable energy penetration by 2025.
The $12.2 million ADB financing is sourced from the Asian Development Fund, which provides grants to ADB’s poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries. Total project cost is $53.2 million.
The Director of ADB’s Energy Sector Group Keiju Mitsuhashi, stated “Tonga is obviously preparing for a renewable energy future by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and initiating projects like the Tonga Renewable Energy Project. ... ADB will continue to support Tonga’s energy transition ambition through accelerating renewable energy investment, and strengthening the transmission and distribution network.”
Comments
Congratulations on this great
Congratulations on this great achievement! Hopefully, this small step will help improve all the small or remote islands of Tonga. Best of luck with this great project!