CoViD-19 continues to impact Tonga’s renewable energy goal [1]
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 - 20:25
By Eleanor Gee
Tonga’s aim to reach 50% renewable energy by the end of 2021 may be delayed further as border restrictions due to CoViD-19 continues to hinder projects.
Tonga Power Ltd CEO, Seti Chan said the uncertainty of borders opening is still very much a risk factor we just have to manage and mitigate moving into 2021 when we know for sure a vaccine arrives in Tonga.
Earlier this year, the virus put a stop to essential requirements for energy related projects such as International contractors and procuring hardware from overseas.
However, Tonga Power managed to organize a limited number of contractors from Fiji to come to Tonga on one of the repatriation flights for the Solar Project.
“But a majority of the other projects such as battery and wind all depends on the border opening and selection criteria,” said Seti.
All energy related projects both On Grid and Off Grid have been moved to 2021 and Off-Grid Projects will even move into 2022.
“[The] safety of our country and remaining CoViD-19 free is our number one priority in terms of managing risks with consultants that we are hoping to enter Tonga, and they are from different parts of the world (Europe, Japan, China, NZ, Fiji, Australia),” he said.
Initially, the 50% renewable energy target was set to be reached at the end of 2020 with Tonga Power planning to speed up projects to achieve it.
But in late February this year, Tonga Power Ltd extended the goal to 2021, as CoViD-19 began to impact delivery timelines.
Seti said unfortunately the effect of CoViD-19 was already showing ominous signs in February, then in March the borders closed all around the world and together with that the industrial economy, particularly China and Europe.
“Apart from the Health Sector, just about every sector practically came to a halt on scheduled implementations for 2020, this included all energy related projects that required international contractors and international hardware procurement.”
In the meantime, Seti said they are working with donor partners, contractors and government “to minimise the delays as best we can”.
Tonga has now achieved 14% of renewable energy penetration.
The renewable energy project aims to reduce Tonga’s reliance on imported fossil fuel.
Related article: https://matangitonga.to/2020/03/04/tonga-moves-50-renewable-energy-target-2021 [2]