The European Union has released a grant of $8.718 million pa’anga to assist Government’s revised Tonga Energy Road Map (TERM).

The grant which was released last month will contribute towards the reforms identified in the roadmap with the aim of making Tonga's energy sector more efficient and sustainable.

Andrew Jacobs, EU Ambassador for the Pacific said they are delighted to partner with the Tongan Government to implement the national energy policy that will undoubtedly not only benefit Tongans living in the urban centres but in other isolated parts of the country.

This means Tongan society over the next few years will be able to access cheaper, reliable and consistent energy supply that will make lives more comfortable, he said.

He said the move towards the use of renewable energy throughout Tonga is an ambitious step, which reflects the country's strong commitment to address climate change and lower it's cost and dependence on imported fuel.

The Minister of Finance Hon ‘Aisake Eke said the budget support from the EU which has been provided for three-years now makes an invaluable contribution towards implementing Government’s goal of meeting 50 percent renewal target by 2020.

“The EU’s technical and financial assistance is a great help for improving the well-being of the people of Tonga. We greatly appreciate EU’s goodwill.”