Commissioning of battery systems boosts Tonga's transition to renewable energy [1]
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 - 20:41. Updated on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 - 20:45.
Tonga’s first large scale battery system, the largest in the South Pacific region was commissioned on 25 October at Matatoa, Tofoa, and will contribute to the country’s transition to renewable energy.
“This is Tonga’s first ever large-scale Battery Energy Storage System, and the largest in the South Pacific, and marks a significant milestone and tangible progress towards the Government’s national objectives for the energy sector, towards our nation’s transition to Renewable Energy, said the Prime Minister.
“Our vision of achieving 70% Renewable Energy by the year 2025 under our new RAPID PROJECT, is of great importance to the Kingdom of Tonga.”
He cut the ribbon to open the systems in the presence of ADB’s Director General, Pacific Department, Ms. Leah Gutierrez and the Australian High Commissioner HE Rachael Moore.
There are two Battery Energy Storage systems under the Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP) in two separate locations. The first BESS, which is for grid stabilization, is located at the Popua Power Station and the second BESS, which is for load shifting, is located behind NEMO’s new operations facility in Matatoa, Tofoa.
In 2019, the Government of Tonga signed the grant agreement for the Tonga Renewable Energy project with a total contribution of USD 53.2 million from the Green Climate Fund, Asian Development Bank, Government of Australia and the Government of Tonga.
Storage of solar generation
He said the Battery Energy Storage systems were an essential enabling technology that allows absorbing higher levels of generation from renewable energy sources. The technology helps stabilize the electricity grid for intermittent generation of renewable energy and allows for load shifting to store the solar generation during the day to be utilized during high customer load demand hours in Tongatapu.
“Our transition to Renewable Energy requires several components that are essential to be in place, in order for effective integration and management of renewable energy into our electricity grid".
The PM said firstly, is the implementation of Renewable Energy Generation projects, under which Tonga has completed a total of seven solar and one wind generation projects, with the completion of Sunergize 6MW Solar in December this year. Secondly, Network Upgrade projects are essential to be completed on the main island of Tongatapu and the outer-islands, which will in turn not only improve safety, efficiency and resilience of our Distribution network but will also allow for increased renewable energy to be injected into our grid.
He commended the Green Climate Fund, ADB, the Government of Australia and their team, Akuo Energy for their hard work towards the successful completion of this important project.
Ms Leah Gutierrez said ADB had firmly laid out it’s ambition to become a climate bank and support its member countries in their transition towards greener, more resilient and decarbonized economies, with a goal of providing a hundred billion dollars in climate finance by 2030.
“ADB with co-financing support from the Green Climate fund and the Government of Australia approved $44.6 million US in grant funding for the Tonga renewable energy project in 2019.
She said. chieving the carbonization goals while also improving the reliability and affordability of power for customers presents some of the biggest challenges and also some of the biggest opportunities.
From an economic perspective, smart renewable energy investments help to reduce Tonga’s reliance on imported diesel fuel.
Expanded renewable energy is a critical step in enhancing the country’s resilience, the global economic shocks and inflationary pressures.
“Investments like this will build Tonga’s long-term resilience and economic independence, and the new technology will facilitate in more reliable and cost effective renewable energy integration into Tonga’s electricity network,” she said.