By Linny Folau

A ground breaking ceremony to start a Nuku’alofa Power Network Upgrade Project was held on Wednesday, November 14 at Pahu.

Tonga Power Ltd. said this project will be carried out in five phases aimed to modernize the electricity network covering the five areas (56 villages) in Nuku'alofa and help reduce network losses, increase access to electricity and provide safe and reliable electricity supply to approximately 8472 households and businesses.

It will also improve Tonga Power's operating and maintenance capability.

The New Zealand Government has committed NZD $11 million for Area 1. The Asian Development Bank committed USD$6.8 million to fund Area 2 and the United Arab Emirates recently confirmed USD$3.5 million funding for Area 3.

Area 1 and 2 are planned to be completed in 2020, with the remaining areas to take two to three-years longer.

Minister for MEIDECC Hon Poasi Tei said this was tangible progress toward the Tongan government's energy target to reach 50% renewable energy by 2020.

He said on May 16 this year, the New Zealand High Commissioner H.E Tiffany Babington signed the grant funding arrangement for NNUP. 

A month later, the Asian Development Bank’s Board of Directors approved its additional grant and this was able to cover the required network upgrade works for the first two areas of the projects, which had sustained the most damage in Tropical Cyclone Gita, he said.

The two areas cover Kolomotu'a, Kolofo'ou, Fanga, Longolongo and Tofoa villages.

The United Arab Emirates approved funding that would further allow social and economic benefits for the households and businesses.

He extended the Tonga Government's gratitude to the donors for their generous contributions that would not only provide reliable and safe electricity supply to homes and businesses but would reduce electricity tarriffs as a result of reduced system losses.

The New Zealand High Commissioner said as we had witnessed earlier this year, this project would also ensure that Nuku’alofa’s electricity network is able to withstand and minimize the extent of damage from future extreme weather events, such as Tropical Cyclone Gita.

She said importantly, the Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade will increase safety, access, standard and reliability of electricity supply, for individuals, households and businesses alike.

"The project, once completed, will save approximately 500,000 litres of diesel annually, mitigating the climate change impact from associated carbon emissions, and reducing Tonga’s dependence on fossil fuels."

An additional benefit of the project is capacity building as further opportunities are provided to Tonga Power lines mechanic trainees to complete their practical experience during the project, she said.

New Zealand had also funded the recently concluded Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project, which benefited 55 rural villages and four school communities in Tongatapu and has been New Zealand’s biggest energy project in the Pacific region to date, at a value of NZD$30.7 million.

At the event was H.E Saleh Ahmed Alsuwaidi, the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to New Zealand and Mr. Masayuki Tachiiri-ADB’s Regional Director for the Pacific, Tonga Power linesmen and guests.