Pacific nations have pledged to transition their economies to 100 percent renewable energy within the next 15 years. This commitment was a primary topic at the Oceania Renewable Power Summit held in Auckland this week, which attracted ministers and senior executives from Samoa, Niue, Fiji, Nauru, Cook Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
Conference attendees focused on four main areas: construction, market integration, financing, and asset management. These initiatives are part of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels over the next decade to fifteen years. The United Nations reports that fossil fuels, including coal, gas, and oil, account for over 80 percent of global energy production, and these energy sources are significant contributors to climate change.
Pacific nations, which are particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change, are prioritizing the shift to sustainable energy sources. Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Lands, Toesulusulu Cedric Schuster, expressed optimism regarding the decreasing costs of battery storage for solar energy, a crucial factor in stabilizing energy consumption.
In 2012, ministers from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) endorsed the Barbados Declaration, which included commitments to renewable energy targets by Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Seven of these nations have set a goal to fully rely on renewable power for electricity generation. Tokelau, notably, was the first territory in the world to be powered completely by solar energy, achieving a remarkable reduction in diesel imports.
Rokoseru Nabalarua, chair of Energy Fiji, highlighted the potential of ocean technology as a dominant energy resource for the Pacific, suggesting that harnessing ocean currents could provide significant benefits. He emphasized the urgency of shifting away from dependency on fossil fuels and exploring hydrogen fuel opportunities.
The challenges posed by extreme weather conditions often disrupt fossil fuel imports to the Pacific islands, causing power outages due to damaged infrastructure. Hence, having alternative sources of energy, such as solar power, is vital for these island nations.
Niue’s Finance Minister Crossley Tatui noted that the insights gained from the summit would help bolster the island’s resilience, especially with the testing of a new power station aligned with their upcoming 50-year celebrations.
New Zealand’s National MP Stuart Smith urged the Pacific to capitalize on local resources, noting that existing diesel generators could be converted to operate on biomethane. He encouraged philanthropic efforts that foster self-sufficiency in the Pacific through project development rather than mere financial aid.