Tonga was among delegates from 110 member countries, attending the Fifth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi, India on 17-20 October, to discuss solutions to enable universal access to affordable solar power.

The Tonga delegation was led by Director of Energy, Mr Kakau Foliaki and the Tonga Honorary Consul in India, Mr Desh Sahae at the four-day event.

The ISA is an international organisation, that promotes the use of solar energy in the ISA member countries, including Tonga, to drive sustainable changes, by enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards, and mobilising investments in the Agriculture, Health, Transport and Power Generation sectors.

President of the ISA, Hon. Singh said that the global dependence on fossil fuel is very unhealthy.

“The past 2 years have also provided us multiple reminders that the global dependence on fossil fuels is unhealthy, not just for the environment, but also for the economy”.

He added that member nations can be offered assistance from the ISA in formulating and implementing solar-ready policies, regulatory development of national energy landscapes, and for engaging with public and private sector entities to leverage low-cost financing.

Key highlights in the meeting included the launching of ISA’s flagship World Solar Report, which highlighted the scope, evolutions in technology, market and investment scenario through appropriate indicators and methodologies.

The meeting also provided updates on the Solar Technology Application Resource Centres (STAR-C) Initiative, Solar Grand Challenge and Resource Mobilization for the ISA.

In addition, the Tonga delegation had bilateral meeting with the Director General of the ISA, Dr. Ajay Mathur.

The ISA expressed its continuous support and assistance to Tonga on more solar projects and electric mobility initiatives.

Discussions also included potential technologies such as floating solar and solar desalination plant.

Tonga has benefitted from ISA through a series of capacity building training programmes on solar mini-grid offered by ISA’s Star-C, and delivered by the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE).

At the same time, ISA had provided a grant funding of US$50,000 for the implementation of two solar water pump projects for Sia’atoutai and Tatakamotonga in Tongatapu.

Also, support from ISA and the Government of Australia, to fund a solar project for the Ha’afeva Health Centre in Ha’apai.

Meanwhile, the Tonga Institute of Science and Technology (TIST) will be hosting the new Star-C technical centre, and the recruitment of Star-C regional officer that is to be based at the PCREEE in Tonga, is underway.