The Federated States of Micronesia is set for a boost to its electricity supply with the World Bank investing in new solar energy projects in Chuuk.
Solar Panels Photo: (American Public Power Association via unsplash)
The bank's East Asia and Pacific's vice president recently toured the FSM and said two thirds of people in Chuuk don't have an energy supply.
Victoria Kwakwa said the bank was quadrupling its financial support to the FSM over the current three year cycle.
Victoria Kwakwa Photo: AFP
Projects such as establishing a power supply are vital to the development of small island states, she said.
"We were just on the island of Udot looking at some of the work that we will be doing on that island on renewable energy, solar energy which will bring access to Udot Island as part of Chuuk State, Ms Kwakwa said.
"Chuuk State has the lowest level of access to electricity in FSM. It's just 27 per cent compared to about 95 per cent of the other States of the Federation."
The FSM is also receiving more investment from the bank for fisheries, martime support, undersea internet cables and financial management.
Across the Pacific the World Bank is increasing funds from US$305 million to US$825 Million over a three year period ending June 2020.
