Eleven remote islands communities in Vava'u and islands off Tongatapu will benefit from the installation of new solar power home systems this year under a Project funded by the Japanese Government.

The project "Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Home System in Tonga," comes under a Japanese Grant Aid Program for Environment and Climate Change that was approved by the Japanese Government on February 26.

The project will provide more than 500 units of Solar Home Systems to be installed in 11 remote island communities in Vava'u, 'Eueiki, and 'Atata in Tongatapu.

Next week on March 12, Tonga's Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele and the Japanese Ambassador in Tonga HE Yasuo Takase will sign of the Exchange of Notes before implementation of the project.

Meanwhile, the Minutes of Discussion on the fourth and final Preparatory Survey on the project was signed between Mission Team Leader Mr Nobuaki Matsui and the Acting CEO for the Ministry of Lands Fetu'u Vea on March 5.

From February 22-26 the JICA Headquarters dispatched a six-member team from Japan and conducted the study in collaboration with the Energy Planning Unit at the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources. It followed up a previous study and explained a draft design document.

Mr Matsui said through the survey they found necessity and relevancy of providing minimal electricity to the target communities who do not benefit much from electrification, with basic solar home system.

Matsui commended the work on Tonga's Energy Road Map that would be completed soon and would show the Framework of the Energy Sector Development in Tonga, which includes targeting 50% electricity generated by renewable resources.

"We believe this project is in line with the Tonga Energy Road Map," he added.