A training program encouraging qualified and experienced electricians to do business legally and get licensed, as well as understand the laws and regulations governing electrical contractor work, is underway this week in Nuku’alofa.

More than 40 participants included electricians, contractors, students, and technical instructors. The four-day sustainable energy business start-up and mentoring training program is run jointly by the Tonga Electricity Commission (TEC) and the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE).

Currently, only 28 electrical contractors are registered with TEC to service Tonga Power Ltd’s (TPL) 25,000 customers on Tongatapu. 

Meanwhile, there is only one registered electrical contractor in Vava’u for 3,754 TPL customers and in Ha’apai there are no registered electrical contractors for the 1,084 TPL customers.

In opening the program on 3 August, Deputy Chair of the Tonga Electricity Commission, Ma’u Havea said very often electrical hazards happen and lives and properties are regrettably lost due to electrical works conducted by people without a licence and works that do not comply with the Commission’s guidelines and processes.

“But these very sad events could be avoided.”

“I hope this training would enable participants and students from the Tonga Institute of Technology to consider starting their own business and get licensed; and serve Tonga’s increasing demand for reliable, cost effective and safe electricity services,” said Ma’u.

Having more licensed electricians in Tonga will also contribute to recovery works.

PCREEE’s Paea Tau’akia said electrical contractors play a key role in Tonga’s recovery from natural disasters and for safeguarding the country from the COVID pandemic.

“The Nuku’alofa-based PCREEE is honoured to continue its close collaboration with the TEC and the government of Tonga in supporting a resilient and safe energy sector and with more participation of the private sector.”

The training program runs from 3-6 August.