Tonga renewable energy stakeholders discuss achieving 50% renewable energy generation target by 2020

28^th February 2020

The Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE), Tonga Power Limited, Department of Energy under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), and the Electricity Commission hosted a one-day stakeholder seminar in Nuku’alofa today.

The seminar was to inform stakeholders and development partners on Tonga’s progress towards meeting renewable energy targets.

MEIDECC CEO Mr Paula Pouvalu Ma’u opened the seminar and stressed the importance of energy to all sectors including transport tourism, agriculture, health and education and even church services.  

“It is therefore crucial for government to work together with its related ministries and departments, public enterprises such as Tonga Power, development partners and aid agencies as well as with the general public to ensure;

• There is a sustainable supply of clean energy for the country
• There is secured and reliable energy for everyone
• That the energy sources that we have are safe
• And more importantly, that the energy sources that we have are cost effective and affordable

This year marks the final year of the 10-year Tonga Energy Roadmap.

Mr Ma’u suggested stakeholders reflect on what had worked well, what needed to be improved, and what was in store for the future.

He hoped the seminar would pave the way forward in creating a nation-wide and an all-of-government consultation process that would assist the government to chart a more comprehensive road map for achieving 70% energy target in 2030.

Also present at the opening ceremony were the Ambassador of Japan to Tonga His Excellency Mr. Tetsuya Ishii, New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga Her Excellency Ms.Tiffany Babington and other development partners.

The seminar closed this afternoon with a panel discussion.

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Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications