Renewable Energy Costs in the Pacific - Final Report

Collation of renewable energy infrastructure project cost data in the Pacific

Aim: To analyse the capital cost of large solar photovoltaic (PV), wind and hydro generation projects bulit in the Pacific over the past 10 years.

Objectives: Improve renewable energy project design and implementation through the provisions of reliable, comparable capital cost data.

Table below highlights the  Electricity Access, RE Target, targeted year set by respective Pacific Island countries for their electricity sector.

Source: PRIF

In this report, they found the average total installed cost of PV systems has fallen from around USD $12/W in 2008 to $3/W in 2018. Key factors affecting installed costs  include scale, location, and footing type (rooftop, concrete or  piled), as  well as the need for fencing, civil works and any requirements to bring in sand and repair/upgrade existing infrastructure.

For PV-battery systems, the system cost has fallen from around $11/W in 2014 to a range of $5 to $8/W in 2018. Key factors affecting costs are similar to PV-only systems with the added factors of battery type plus inverters function and sizing, as well as any requirements for new control systems and buildings to house battery banks and inverters.

Keywords: Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), Renewable Energy Projects, Pacific Islands, Renewable Energy Costs

For more information on PRIF you can visit: https://www.theprif.org/