Setitaia Pasivaka Chen has been appointed as the Acting Chief Executive Officer for Tonga Power Ltd, starting on August 1.

He takes over from Robert Lenes Matthews whose contract as CEO expired on July 31, after completing a three-year term.

The Common Utility Board said in the last three years, Seti was Tonga Power’s General Manager Operations heading two departments, Network Distribution and the Design and Planning. He has extensive knowledge of Tonga Power’s operations, bringing more than 13-years experience in leadership positions, project management and electrical with electronic engineering.

Setitaia has developed new ventures, working with the Operations Department preparing Tonga Power for growth.

Prior to joining Tonga Power in 2012, Seti was a former Transmission Line Engineer and former Project Manager with Electric Ltd. in New Zealand.

Tonga Power Ltd. stated, "He is well established to achieve the vision of its shareholder, Government of Tonga, the Board of Directors and to drive Tonga Power’s renewable energy targets and goals to the next level, from the foundation achieved by Matthews."

Tonga Power stated that its core objective is to reduce Tonga’s vulnerability to oil price shocks and achieve an increase in quality access to modern energy services in an environmentally sustainable manner and accordingly to reduce it's carbon emission footprint and importantly reduce the electricity tariff to the people of Tonga.