On the sidelines of COP29, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed agreements with the Solomon Islands and Tonga governments to support major renewable energy projects. These initiatives aim to reduce the Pacific nations’ dependence on diesel fuel imports and strengthen energy resilience.
ADB and Partners Commit to Energy Transition Projects
ADB Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, Scott Morris, signed agreements with Solomon Islands Minister for the Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management, and Meteorology Trevor Mahaga and Tonga Minister of Finance, Revenue, and Customs Tiofilusi Tiueti.
The Solomon Islands Renewable Energy Development Project will receive $5 million grant from ADB. The Saudi Fund for Development will co-finance with a $10 million loan and an additional $10 million loan. Tonga signed $4.6 million in grant agreements supported by ADF, Germany’s Clean Energy Fund, and the EU. Australia will also provide $5.6 million in budget support for related expenditures.Also read: ADB and Tuvalu Launch Solar Power and Battery Storage Systems
Renewable Energy in Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands project installs solar farms in Guadalcanal and Malaita provinces, providing a total capacity of 2.5 megawatts. The project will introduce Solomon Islands’ first utility-scale battery storage system, enhancing renewable energy integration into the national grid. The initiative includes power sector reforms and capacity-building for the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority to ensure sustainable system operation. These efforts aim to create an environment encouraging private investment in renewable energy.Also read: ADB Approves $250 Million Loan to Support Uzbekistan’s Climate Transition
Tonga’s Transition to a Sustainable Grid
The Tonga Grid Enhancement for Sustainable Energy Transition Project will support the country’s goal of achieving 70% renewable energy. The project involves building a 33-kV network to connect a solar plant and upgrading sections of the 11-kV network.
Scott Morris said, “These transformational energy projects demonstrate ADB’s steadfast commitment to improving energy security, affordability, access, and sustainability across the Pacific.”
He added, “They will significantly reduce Solomon Islands and Tonga’s reliance on fossil fuels and enhance the disaster resilience of Tonga’s power grid.”
Additionally, the project will strengthen Tonga Power Limited’s grid construction and maintenance capacity while developing gender policies and action plans. The project seeks to reduce Tonga’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, improve grid resilience against disasters, and increase access to reliable energy.