Powering up remote Tuvalu through solar : sustainable energy for Nukufetau, Nui and Nukulaelae

Abstract

The Government of Tuvalu and the European Union are working in partnership to improve access to reliable and environmentally sound energy services to three remote outer islands of Tuvalu. This partnership between the Government of Tuvalu and the European Union is also being supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) of New Zealand, the Government of Finland and PIGGAREP – the Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project. PIGGAREP is funded through the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Samoa, and executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). In February 2015, PIGGAREP sent a small team to the remote islands of Tuvalu to find out about how access to 24 hour solar power looks set to change people’s lives. This publication, and a companion film, document some of the discussions between the PIGGAREP team and local communities about the many benefits that will come about as a result of powering up remote Tuvalu by solar.