Tonga Power

This follows the confirmation of a decrease in diesel prices from $1.5091 per litre in March 2020 to $1.0419 per litre in June 2020 (an accumulated reduction of $0.47 per litre or 32% reduction in total.

A recent release states that the accumulated price reduction from 15 March 2020 to 15 June is driven mainly by the ongoing and current economic impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The company’s Safety and Human Resources Field Services Manager, Vern Rosieur, was in Tonga to look at the selection of six Line Mechanics not only from Tongatapu but also from the outer islands.

According to Rosieur, this is his fourth visit to Tonga since 2000 and from his observation, the quality of the work that has been carried out is excellent.

“The program is a huge benefit for the line mechanics not only financially but the skills they will gain from the trainings that Northpower will provide,” he said.

The electricity upgrade is part of the New Zealand-funded Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project being carried out in 50 rural villages on Tongatapu.

Robert Matthews, Chief Executive from Tonga Power Limited, discussed the achievements of the project as he escorted Brownlee and New Zealand High Commissioner Sarah Walsh through ‘Alaki village.

Brownlee was able to hear how the NZ$27.8 million New Zealand-funded energy project has supported rural Tongan communities to access more reliable and safe electricity, while reducing Tonga’s national reliance on fossil fuel.

The partnership will assist Tonga Power to remain financially sustainable, and thereby achieve its core purpose of reducing Tonga’s vulnerability to oil price shocks. The solution will also empower Tonga Power to optimise the performance of its assets, ensuring the Tongan community has quality access to modern energy services.

The cheque was presented by board chairman, Carl Sanft to the Minister for Public Enterprises, Poasi Tei during Tonga Power’s Annual General Meeting this week.

This is the highest dividend ever paid from Tonga Power Ltd to the Government since its operation, and an increase from June 2014 by 27 percent from $1.5 million pa’anga to $2 million pa’anga.

Over recent years, the company has also reduced its electricity tariff substantially.