More than 200 houses were connected to the grid for the first time under Phase three of the Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project (NNUP).

The completion of the NNUP phase three, marked improved power connections and upgrades to 14 villages, 2042 households and 354 businesses.

Tonga Power Ltd (TPL), said that NNUP will help to reduce network losses, increase access to electricity, provide safe and reliable electricity supply to approximately 8,472 households and businesses in the Nuku'alofa area and improve TPL's operating and maintenance capability. There are five phases to the project.

NNUP is funded with NZD$9.3 million from the Asian Development Bank and NZD$11 million from the New Zealand government and donor partners.

The Australian High Commission stated on on its facebook age, “The new network design is safer and more robust in terms of cyclones and storms.”