The benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency at household level are being taught to communities in Vava'u this week under a special training programme for “Strengthening Community Awareness on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Tonga.”

Funded by  the 11^th European Development Fund, the training will cover all of Vava'u with implementing partner Tonga Trust, the Energy Department, (MEIDECC), Tonga Power Ltd, the Ministry of Finance and the Government of Tonga.

'Inoke Taufa Coordinator/Facilitator of the project, said they aim to strengthen awareness of local communities on renewable energy and energy efficiency and to increase energy efficiency at household level. 

The program will increase communities awareness and understanding of the Tongan government policies and its program of actions on renewable energy and energy efficiency, how it can benefit local communities, their natural environment, while engaging them to practice and adopt sustainable pattern of energy consumption that benefits them.

“Target Groups are women, youths, farmers, and fishermen. We hope to iimprove community awareness about the government energy policies, TERM targets, existing and ongoing donor funded program of actions and how the community can benefit from them,” he said.

Activities include workshops, a community baseline survey, and developing and implementing the participants' efficient energy plans.

The training, which started on September 26 ends on October 9.

Also attending are Papiloa Bloomfield Foliaki, Deputy Chair of the Tonga Trust Board; Finance Manager Kalolaine Kavaefiafi, Dr Tevita Tukunga Director for Energy (MEIDECC), Talo Fonua of Tonga Power Ltd. and Tonga Trust Vava'u Representative Piula Fonokalafi.