The 25^th Annual Pacific Power Association (PPA) Conference and Trade Exhibition attended by more than 200 representatives from electricity utilities, organisations and individuals from the region was opened for the first time in Nuku'alofa by Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala on Tuesday, 2 August.

The five-days conference held under a theme 'Integrating Intermittent Renewable Energy with Conventional Generation' is hosted by Tonga Power Ltd.

Crown Prince Tupouto’a 'Ulukalala told the gathering that the theme captures the Government of Tonga’s ambition to transform Tonga’s electricity industry from one that is heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels to one that is sustainable and environmentally friendly, in line with the Tonga Energy Road Map vision.

He said the government continued to focus on improving the energy sector through increasing access to electricity and was targeting a goal of 50% renewable generation and improvements in efficiency of supply by 2020. 

The Crown Prince noted that since 2014 the electricity tariff had decreased by 20 percent and in recent years there had been several policy and legislative initiatives in Tonga aimed at improving the legal framework of the electricity sector and the implementation of fossil fuel reduction programs and development of renewable energy projects.

"It is our hope that these frameworks can attract more private sector investment in value-added renewable energy projects that can be beneficial for the country overall."

He said renewable energy most certainly is a big part of solving the dilemma of high reliance on fossil fuels in the Pacific. With the support of development partners, the government and Tonga Power Ltd is able to generate 8-10% of the electricity from renewable energy sources every month.

"The theme is a clear recognition of the challenges associated with integrating renewable energy with conventional generation faced not only here in Tonga but by most of the Pacific islands," said the Crown Prince.

Tonga

Robert Matthews, Tonga Power Ltd CEO said it can be difficult to comprehend just how much of a change is involved in moving towards renewable based electricity generation and the challenge is exacerbated on small and generally underdeveloped power grids, which exists throughout the Pacific.

"In Tonga, there is 2.4 MW of centralized solar PV existing on the four power grids that TPL manages and we are moving to add a further 2 MW of solar PV in the coming months. In addition, the Government of Japan together with the New Zealand Govenment has been working towards the development of up to 4MW of wind generation," he said.

"The continued assistance from development partners with private sector investment will be crucial if Tonga Power is to release the government's objectives of reaching 50% renewable energy by 2020."

He thanked development partners including ADB, World Bank, the Australian and New Zealand governments, JICA, Government of China, EIB, EU and many others for their generous assistance in meeting this objective.

At the same time, they are racing to get the basics right to improve electricity grids throughout Tonga's islands.

He noted that 11% of generated electricity is lost from the lines, and therefore network upgrades were seen as an energy efficiency measure to reduce loss line losses. In the last five years TPL had reduced from 18% line losses to 11% line losses today.

"Also very much related to this conference, is the challenge of integrating renewable electricity with conventional generation. In Tonga’s case that means displacing diesel generation, which accounts for some 90% of all electricity generated in Tonga," he said.

Tonga Power found there is a need to change their philosophies for distributing electricity, from simple radial feeders to introducing ring feeds throughout Tongatapu. Automated control of their diesel generation needs further improvements so that they can better react to the intermittent nature of our current and future solar and wind farms.

“It is fair to assume that there is no silver bullet and each island has a unique set of circumstance, but one thing is for sure, we will make strides forward, and the more that we can do that together and find synergies then the better off the people of the Pacific will be," Robert said.

Innovative Technology

PPA Chairman Mr Kione J Isecha, P.E said since 1992, PPA has committed to improving the quality of power in the region with a mission to support power utilities in providing high quality, secure, effecient and sustainable electricity sources.

"Take this opportunity this year to share and exchange ideas to help develop solutions using innovating technology for today and future renewable energy integration challenges."