Antinuclear

Tokelau leads world in the Pacific Islands switch to renewable energy

PEC-funded projects have brought power to the lives of more than 10,000 people in the Solomon Islands; will reduce Samoa’s fuel usage by 135,000 litres per annum; and, in the Federated States of Micronesia, reduce carbon emissions by 500 tonnes and induce fuel cost savings of 486,000 dollars per year.

Pacific Island Sets Renewable Energy Record, Alert Net, 26 Oct 2012 By Catherine Wilson BRISBANE,   (IPS) – Tokelau, a small Polynesian territory in the central Pacific, has surpassed the rest of the world in replacing fossil fuels and raised the benchmark of achievement on sustainable development.

Located north of Samoa, the three atolls, home to 1,411 people, will claim a world record when they switch to 150 percent renewable energy – sourced primarily from solar power – next week.

“Our commitment as global citizens is to make a positive contribution
towards the mitigation of the impacts of climate change,”Jovilisi
Suveinakama, general manager of the National Public Service of the
Government of Tokelau, in Apia, Samoa, told IPS.

“We are proud of this achievement. We congratulate and encourage other
countries in the Pacific (to take) the same path.”

Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo atolls, which are administered by New
Zealand, are three to five metres above sea level and comprise a total
land area of 12 square kilometres.

The territory’s energy requirements for electricity, domestic use and
transportation have hitherto been met by imported fossil fuels,
costing the tiny country roughly 819,500 dollars per year.

In 2004 the Government of Tokelau developed a national policy and
strategy to increase energy efficiency and independence with a focus
on the renewable sector.

This year the Tokelau Renewable Energy Project, funded by New Zealand
Aid and comprising one of the world’s largest off-grid solar systems,
came to fruition.

During the past three months 4,032 photovoltaic panels and 1,344
batteries have been installed on the three atolls. The electricity
generators will be powered by coconut bio-fuel produced on the
islands…….
PEC-funded projects have brought power to the lives of more than 10,000 people in the Solomon Islands; will reduce Samoa’s fuel usage by 135,000 litres per annum; and, in the Federated States of Micronesia, reduce carbon emissions by 500 tonnes and induce fuel cost savings of 486,000 dollars per year.

Singh predicts,”Small island nations will probably become
self-sufficient in grid energy supply by 2050. This will be due to aid
money readily available, as well as significant recent reductions in
the price of solar PV panels, making grid-connected PV systems
affordable and cost-effective in the future.”
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/pacific-island-sets-renewable-energy-record

October 26, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized