The attached paper, by Scott Hook, was written for Ausaid as a background research paper for the 2009 Pacific Economic Survey.  The paper seeks to explore renewable energy challenges in the Pacific by reviewing several case studies.  Energy plays a vital role in contributing to development in the Pacific region.  It is a fundamental input to most economic and social activities and invaluable in key sectors such as education, health and communications.  However, cost effective energy is a significant logistical challenges for connecting communities important for states that are distant from each other and major markets.