Tonga's first solar farm starts operation [1]
Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 23:17. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Tonga's first solar farm began operation this week on August 20, and customers should see a reduction in the price of electricity on their first power bill in September.
The solar farm "Maama Mai" or "Let there be light" was electronically switched on by Lord Fakafanua at the Popua Power station in 'Anana on Monday, a month after it was dedicated by HM King Tupou VI on July 24.
John van Brink the Chief Executive of the Tonga Power said today that the facility was operating better than expected.
He said the price decreased by 5.29 seniti to 85.27 seniti per kilowatt, Tonga's current electricity price that took effect on August 1 and customers would see this reduction in their first power bill in September.
John said the facility was expected to produce up to 25 percent load of Tongatapu's demand during the low-loaded weekend daytime periods, and four percent reduction in energy generated using diesel.
Attending the switching on of the solalr plant was Tonga Power Chairman Carl Sanft, Director Sitiveni Finau with management team and Popua generation staff.
The construction of the solar farm was funded with NZ$7.9 million or TOP$12 million from the New Zealand Government to help Tonga beat the high cost of imported diesel.
It has the capacity to generate 1,880 megawatt hours of electricity a year, or about 4 percent of Tongatapu's total electricity demand. It is also expected to reduce Tonga's annual diesel consumption by 470,000 litres.
Maamai Mai is the largest solar farm in the Pacific region, constructed by Meridian Energy Ltd. a leading developer of renewable energy in New Zealand.