Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister has officially opened ‘Eua’s first solar energy generation facility in ‘Ohonua.
Dubbed the Huelo ‘o e Funga Fonua, the new solar facility is expected to help reduce Tonga’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and increase Tonga’s amount of electricity generated from Renewable Energy to 20 per cent.
The facility is made up of about 800 solar panels, estimated to cost 1.8 million Pa’anga and is jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank, Australian Government and the European Union.
“The facility is part of the Outer Islands Renewable Energy Project (OIREP). OIREP have a total budget of about 21million US$ which has been designed to install solar power systems in the outer islands of Tonga namely ‘Eua, Vava’u, Lifuka, ‘Uiha, Nomuka, Ha’ano, Ha’afeva and the two Niuas,” said Mr Sovaleni.
OIREP was designed to reduce Tonga’s dependence on imported fossil fuel but at the same time maintain reliable, safe and affordable energy supply.
The project also aims to reduce carbon emissions by using sustainable and innovative technologies.
The project has 3.8 million US$ for solar farming and electricity network upgrade to support economic development in ‘Eua alone.
Mr Sovaleni also highlighted Tonga’s ambition to generate 50 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
“Tonga is aiming to generate 50 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Already Ha’apai have reached that target, 50 percent of their electricity is generated from solar. On the national level we are only generating about 11 per cent now but we do have plans to get to this target,” he explained.
“A big part of it will be in collaboration and partnership with key partners such as ADB, EU, Australia, NZ and of course Green Climate Fund. Notwithstanding that, it is vitally important that we keep the strong working relationship of local stakeholders such as Tonga Power, MEIDECC, Finance and MPE.”
The construction of the new facility started in April 2016 and was completed in December 2016.
The facility was dedicated and blessed by the Rev. Kisepi Havea of the Free Wesleyan Church and attended by Hofangahau High School brass band this afternoon. (Friday)
Photo by Govt of Tonga