Pacific nations have expressed their commitment to powering their economies with 100% renewable energy over the next 15 years. This pledge emerged as a central topic during the recent two-day Oceania Renewable Power Summit held in Auckland.
Participants, including ministers and senior executives from Samoa, Niue, Fiji, Nauru, Cook Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu, engaged in discussions focused on the renewable electricity generation sector across Oceania. The conference concentrated on four key areas: construction, market integration, financing, and asset management. These discussions aimed to support the nations’ efforts to include renewable energy in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and to reduce reliance on fossil fuels within the next decade to 15 years.
According to the United Nations, fossil fuels, comprising coal, gas, and oil, account for over 80% of global energy production. However, these fuels are major contributors to climate change, prompting a growing consensus for a transition to cleaner energy sources. Pacific nations, being particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, continue to prioritize the shift towards sustainable energy solutions.
Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Lands, Toesulusulu Cedric Schuster, highlighted the potential of reducing the costs associated with battery storage for solar panels. He emphasized the importance of energy stability in the transition to renewable sources, noting that energy loss occurs when storage is unavailable.
In 2012, ministers from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) endorsed the Barbados Declaration, which included renewable energy targets for Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Seven of these nations have set a goal to source 100% of their electricity from renewable technologies. Notably, Tokelau became the world’s first territory powered entirely by solar energy a decade ago, with solar energy now accounting for 75% of the power supply across its three atolls, significantly cutting diesel imports.
Rokoseru Nabalarua, chair of Energy Fiji, remarked on the potential of ocean technology as a valuable energy asset for the Pacific. He expressed optimism that harnessing ocean currents could provide reliable energy sources and hinted at the exploration of hydrogen fuels for energy independence from fossil fuels.
The region’s reliance on fossil fuel imports can be precarious, especially during severe weather events that can disrupt supply chains and damage infrastructure. Therefore, supplementary energy sources, such as solar power, are vital for the resilience of island nations.
Niue’s finance minister, Crossley Tatui, noted that insights from the summit, along with the commissioning of a new power station, would enhance the island’s ability to withstand challenges. Furthermore, Stuart Smith, New Zealand’s National MP, encouraged Pacific nations to explore other domestic resources, suggesting that investment in biomethane could convert existing diesel generators to more sustainable options. He urged philanthropic efforts to focus on creating self-sufficient projects in the Pacific rather than simply providing financial aid.