The Government of Vanuatu says it will support and promote environment friendly practices that discourage greenhouse gas emissions.
And Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas is determined to pursue mitigation actions that protects the environment in line with its goal to generate electricity through renewable energy by 2030.
“In 2015, 29 percent of electricity generated in our four electricity concessions used renewable energy sources such as biofuel, wind, hydro and solar, said PM Salwai.
Receiving the new solar energy project from the United Arab Emirates this week, the Prime Minister announced five more renewable energy projects almost complete in other parts of the country.
These include a 1.5 kilowatt solar PV system currently installed at Devils Point area funded by the European Union and the Vanuatu Government, a 48 kilowatt biofuel system installed in Sola in Banks funded by the EU and the Vanuatu Government to serve households in Sola and Mossina villages; a 144 kilowatt biofuel systems installed in East Ambae funded by the EU and the Vanuatu Government to service 200 households, a 75 kilowatt hydro system at Talise River in Maewo, funded by the Italian Government and the Vanuatu Government to serve 260 households, and a 3 kilowatt hydro project in Loltong, Pentecost to service 60 households.
In addition, the Vanuatu Government is currently working on in partnership with a number of development partners to construct a 300 kilowatt hydro project in Brenwei, Malekula to service, 600 households and an additional intake to the Sarakata hydro in Santo to generate an additional 600 kilowatt.
“Let me reiterate that energy is one of the key priority sectors of the Government, because of its role as a catalyst for growth and development. Consequently, a number of policy initiatives have been implemented in the recent past, which included the approval of the National Energy Road Map (NERM) in 2013, said the Prime Minister.
The NERM has then triggered the need to upgrade the Energy Unit from a five permanent positions structure in 2011 into a fully-fledged Government Department with 15 permanent positions in 2015.
The Department’s budget has subsequently increased from VT12 million (US$109,000) in 2013 to VT23 million (US$209,000) in 2015 showing the Government commitment to the development of the energy sector.
“I am pleased to announce that since launching of the NERM, the Government through the Department of Energy has implemented other electricity access projects in the country, such as the Vanuatu Rural Electrification programme to subsidise cost of plug and play solar systems throughout the country and the Global Partnership for Output Based Aid (GPOBA) to subsidise electricity connection cost for low income earners with the four concession areas, said PM Salwai.
Pic courtesy: Arabianbusiness.com