Pacific utilities advised to set strategic planning to gain savings from renewable energy investments
Renewable energy can bring cost savings for Pacific utilities, but achieving these benefits requires strategic
Renewable Energy
Disappointed with solar option, Whipps eyes nuclear energy for Palau
While setting a goal to have 100 percent renewable capacity by 2032, Palau must embrace nuclear energy to supplement the country’s existing power sources, President Surangel Whipps Jr. said. “If there are
Tuvalu’s floating solar panels
In Funafuti, a small pond bordered by pig pens is now home to an innovative renewable energy pilot program, floating solar panels. Tuvalu Energy Corporation General Manager, Mafalu Lotolua says the project is a response
OTEC: Challenging the status quo
The proponents of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) are hoping that the technology will finally get a foothold in the Pacific, following their recent mission to Fiji. A Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’
Renewable Energy (RE) Training at the PNG University of Technology
Since its inception, PNGUoT has always been a hub of energy training in several departments such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Applied Physics, Applied Science and Geographic
Gulf oil states on a Pacific charm offensive
Gulf oil states are using their vast wealth to build influence across the far-flung South Pacific, experts have told AFP, tearing a page straight out of China’s Belt and Road playbook. Saudi Arabia and the United
Solomon Islands optimistic to reduce electricity costs through reforms: Vehe
Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Dr Chris Vehe has highlighted the energy challenges facing Solomon Islands and reforms the Government is undertaking to
Largest solar and storage project in western Pacific online in Palau
The largest solar and battery storage project in the Western Pacific has been installed in Palau, a 15.3 MW solar system combined with a 13.2 MWh battery. The US$29 million installation will meet more than 25% of the
Pacific island countries are working to address mobility and sustainable transport
During the initial session of the 5th Pacific Regional Energy Transport Ministerial Meeting held at Le Lagon in Port Vila Monday, representatives from various countries shared their concerns and challenges with regards
Project Cerulean: A vast ocean of possibility to explore
In 2018, Swire Shipping and the University of the South Pacific launched a new project to research and design a low-carbon wind powered, commercially-operated freighter to stimulate outer-island Pacific trade. Route
K650 million hydropower project in PNG opens after 15 years
Port Moresby’s power blackouts may now be over. After 15 years, the National Government and its Chinese partner PNG Hydro Development Limited formally launched the Edevu Hydropower Project located along the Brown
EIB to deepen Pacific footprint
The newly opened European Investment Bank office in Suva will build on pipeline projects, including a planned hydropower plant in Fiji, a major water and sanitation project in Timor-Leste, rehabilitation and greening of
Solar challenge in PNG
Papua New Guinea Manufacturers Council chief executive officer Chey Scovell says PNG Power Limited (PPL) has admitted that there is no end in sight to electricity supply woes in the country. And those in authority have
Pacific leaders to discuss global transition away from fossil fuels
The Governments of Vanuatu and Tuvalu will host the ‘2nd Pacific Ministerial Dialogue on Pathways for the Global Just Transition away from Fossil Fuels’ in Port Vila this week, from 15-17 March 2023. It will be
Foremost and Coca-Cola sign solar rooftop PPA with Solenergy Micronesia
117-kW solar photovoltaic system to replace around 15% of current Foremost monthly power consumption with renewable energy (BARRIGADA HEIGHTS, Guam, Feb. 16, 2023)—Foremost Foods, Inc. (Foremost) and Coca-Cola
Ovalau Agro PV Project: A model for Fiji
Four more Agrophotovoltaic (APV) projects are planned for Fiji, according to the developer of the Ovalau APV, which is currently in the final stages of negotiations, with construction planned for early next year. “We
Alternergy says Palau battery project nearly complete
Renewable energy pioneer Alternergy on Monday said that a solar PV and battery storage project in Palau, which is expected to commence commercial operations by April 2023, was nearing completion. In a statement,
USD$100m needed to achieve Samoa’s renewable energy goals
Samoa needs approximately another USD$100 million in capital to achieve its goal of generating 70 percent of its energy needs by renewable energy sources by 2030. This is according to the Chief Engineer of the Electric
EV Chargers may spawn e-revolution on Fiji roads
The company behind Fiji's first electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is optimistic that its transformative clean energy project will also spill over to Fiji's maritime transportation, with plans to produce
Tonga’s first large-scale battery systems to achieve climate targets
The first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Tonga was officially opened at an event attended by Prime Minister Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni. Prime Minister Sovaleni, known also by
More green energy in PNG : Marape
Days after his election as Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape took his first official overseas trip to discuss green energy projects with leaders of Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) in Singapore. He said
In our February issue
In this issue of Islands Business, lessons from Tonga where people continue to rebuild their lives after the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami. Kevin McQuillan looks at movement to reopen the
Switching on renewables
The ambitious renewable energy targets set by many Pacific Island nations may be running behind schedule, but there is still a lot of activity and investment in the sector, pandemic