Australia provides $2.885 million for outer islands solar power [1]
Friday, December 4, 2020 - 17:16
Australia has provided AUD$2.885 million towards Tonga’s outer islands solar power project, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to help reduce reliance on diesel for power generation.
Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office in Fiji Masayuki Tachiiri said the Tonga Outer Island Renewable Energy Project will provide increased consumer access to electricity generated by solar power at a low cost.
“The additional funding from Australia ensures we are well on the way to achieving this goal.”
The funds will increase the scope of rehabilitation work of the existing electricity distribution network on the island of Vava’u, to 100% coverage. The grant will also fund additional project management services.
The project also includes solar systems on ‘Eua and Lifuka in Ha’apai, along with four outer islands in the Ha’apai group (‘Uiha, Nomuka, Ha’ano, Ha’afeva), as well as on Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.
It is building solar generating facilities with a total distribution capacity of 1.32 megawatts at peak use, which is expected to reduce diesel imports by an estimated 0.48 million litres a year.
Rehabilitation of the existing electricity distribution networks on ‘Eua and the four outer islands in the Ha’apai group, as well as a new electricity distribution network on Niuatoputapu, is included in the project.
Tonga is one of the most vulnerable countries in the Pacific to climate change with 89% of Tonga’s population having access to electricity generated largely by diesel fuel.