Results for Power Supply

I am pleased to see the surge in the energy debate. I've been a strong advocate of alternative energy sources to be considered by Tongan on two fronts: One is the appropriate alternative technology. The second front that we need to consider, centralized power generation and ownership has brought us this far but we need to understand and accept its limitations and change accordingly. - Sefita Hao'uli.

Yesterday on Tonga television we heard about a nuclear program in Tonga. No, Please! The Nuclear power is highly dangerous and doesn't really improve in any way the actual situation of the country. - Corinna Langi.

I noted with interest a letter to the editor which raised issues and concerns surrounding the energy conference held in Vava'u and the planed offshore energy buoy system we are working to test next year. I would like to briefly address a few of these concerns. -Johnny Kraczek

Bringing the Tonga energy roadmap to the table as a priority issue is a significant and positive step by government and thank you for the comprehensive coverage. - Sefita Hao'uli

Peter Goldstern's hat had better be edible. Relying on generating power only from a central location for a collection of small and mostly low lying islands spread over a vast area of ocean is the wrong model. It was the wrong model then, now and will be into the future and to quote Dr Chu as evidence in this way is being disingenuous. - Sefita Hao‘uli

There are a couple of viable renewable options available for Tonga, one being the burning of Saafa grass to drive steam turbines which could produce cheap electricity as does the burning of 1 million tons of straw each year in Denmark. Burning grass is CO2 neutral because the grass takes the same amount of CO2 out of the air while growing, as is returned to the atmosphere when it is burned. Indeed this option entitles the user to Carbon credits. Saafa could produce electricity for less than the diesel component alone in the current electricity price. -Peter Goldstern

It is very important to accept the fact that Shorelines has made a big different to the reliability of power generation and distribution. We should also understand the fact that we cannot control the oil price and the price of oil has been sky high by more than 200% during the last 2 decades and to be reasonable, the rates of tariff increase is acceptable. -David Tapiaka

Thank you Mr Holiday for selling Shoreline, you are doing a very good job. Perhaps the King and his business partner should hire you to be their PR man. I am beginning to warm to the idea that the company is a good investment. -Senolita Swan

So, now we know that the King is the owner of Shoreline. Is he the sole owner or in part-ownership of the company? Did the Government pay the $2 million pa'anga bill for Shoreline because the King required it or does the Government still have an obligation to finance this company when it is in financial trouble? - Senolita Swan