Results for Energy

The price for petrol, kerosene, and diesel will increase starting on 18 August, as approved by the Tonga Competent Authority, as subsidies are discontinued.

In Tonga the wholesale price for petrol and kerosene increased, while diesel decreased, effective on July 26.

Over 20 participants, including 10 solar PV technicians, attended a renewable energy mini-grid training in Neiafu, Vava’u on 28-30 April as part of resilience development in Tonga.

A training series on Power Purchase Agreements for a Pacific Energy Regulators Alliance was launched by the Asian Development Bank on April 14.

Tonga‘s CoViD-19 travel restrictions have disrupted national renewable energy targets for the next two years. Getting technical experts into the country to design and commission urgent work is a major problem. It is critical for Tongatapu’s Stablising Battery to be commissioned this month, says a key administrator.

An environmental study on seabed mining for “polymetallic nodules” - rocks that contain metals needed to build batteries, is underway in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific between Hawaii and Mexico. The aim is to use the metals to power electric cars. The study is being undertaken by DeepGreen Metals Inc., a Canadian-based seafloor mining developer, which acquired Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML) last year, and has sponsorship from the Tonga government for seabed exploration. By Eleanor Gee.

A new five years Electricity Concession Contract, to secure the supply of electricity to Tonga’s main island groups of Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha’apai and Vava’u was signed in Nuku’alofa on 12 January 2021.

Tonga’s aim to reach 50% renewable energy by the end of 2021 may be delayed further as border restrictions due to CoViD-19 continues to hinder projects.

Australia has provided AUD$2.885 million towards Tonga’s outer islands solar power project, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to help reduce reliance on diesel for power generation.