11 May 2016

Solar advances for Vanuatu and Niue

7:02 pm on 11 May 2016
solar panels

Photo: 123RF

Vanuatu has thanked the United Arab Emirates for funding solar power developments worth US$5,000,000 dollars.

It is part of the UAE's Pacific Partnership Fund and comes a day after the inauguration of similar scheme, built in conjunction with New Zealand, in Solomon Islands.

The Vanuatu prime minister, Charlot Salwai, said the UAE investment will deliver 767 kilowatts of solar energy.

He said it would save Vanuatu up to 340,000 litres in imported diesel costs and move the country closer to its target of being 100 percent reliant on renewable energy by 2030.

Niue gets solar gear

Niue has been given $US 306,000 of solar power equipment and committed to maintaining support for the island's renewable energy project.

Shinyo Koeki Co. Ltd, Stella Environment Science Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric have donated the equipment.

The Niue government says the island is experiencing increased numbers of visitors and the assistance will helpo ensure the stability and demand for clean power can be met.

Furthermore, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates have inaugurated a new solar power farm in Solomon Islands.