02 January 2012

NUKUʻALOFA, TONGA – UNICON shortlisted for Asian Development Bank funded Outer Island Renewable Energy Project in Tonga.

The government of Tonga set a target of reducing fossil fuel imports for power generation by 50% by 2020 and has developed an overall plan for the energy sector. The Tonga Energy Roadmap 2010-2020 outlines the improvements needed to reach the government's 2020 target, and covers petroleum supply chain initiatives, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. The Roadmap was developed in very close collaboration with development partners and has been held up at regional meetings as an example of donor coordination. This project is identified as a high priority by the Roadmap and the Roadmap Implementation Unit has requested assistance with this project from Asian Development Bank.

The proposed Tonga Outer Island Renewable Energy Project will construct grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plants on the outer islands of Tonga, thereby demonstrating a method for reducing the country's heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation. The Project will supply secure, environmentally sustainable energy to households, schools, and other public facilities, on the islands of 'Eua, Ha'apai, and Vava'u. The Project will quantify the solar resource and facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable energy with a conventional diesel grid. The Project will build the capacity of the power utility, Tonga Power Limited, in the operation and maintenance of renewable technologies. Customers will be made aware of the importance of energy conservation and opportunities for passing cost savings to poor households by way of a subsidized tariff will be assessed during project preparation.