Project Title: Photovoltaic Electricity Network Integration Project
Project Location: Vaitupu Island
Project Duration: 2 years ending 2010
Project Cost: USD 800K
Project Summary:
Tuvalu intends to install PV systems, to feed into the existing diesel grid system, and solar street lights in one of the outer islands – Vaitupu. The project is coordinated at the national level by the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC), the power utility which supplies power to all islands in the country. The project will contribute to reducing the country’s dependence on diesel generation and reduce operational costs to TEC. In addition it will bring about a savings of about 109 tonnes of CO2 per annum (assuming 30% efficiency).
Project Development:
Eco Kinetics, a company that specialises in designing and installation of renewable energy systems in Australia and the Pacific region has been awarded the tender to design, supply and install the PV systems. Progress has been made with data logging undertaken at the school (in Vaitupu) to determine its load requirements. It is envisaged that commissioning of the project will occur in November.
The project is also being used as a training exercise for technicians in Tuvalu and from other countries in the design, installation and maintenance of grid connected PV systems. This component is being coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) under its Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project (PIGGAREP). IUCN Oceania and SPREP have agreed on a collaborative arrangement that will help to maximise their ability to deliver on their respective energy programmes.
