Pacific nations are determined to achieve 100 percent renewable energy for their economies within the next 15 years. This commitment was a key focus at the recent two-day Oceania Renewable Power Summit held in Auckland, where representatives from Samoa, Niue, Fiji, Nauru, Cook Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu gathered to discuss advancements in the renewable electricity generation sector across the region.
The conference centered around four critical areas: construction, market integration, financing, and asset management, all aimed at integrating renewable energy solutions into their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and phasing out reliance on fossil fuels over the next decade to 15 years.
Fossil fuels, which account for over 80 percent of global energy production, are major contributors to climate change, intensifying the push for a transition to cleaner energy sources. As some of the most vulnerable nations facing the impacts of climate change, Pacific countries are prioritizing the adoption of sustainable energy.
Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Lands, Toesulusulu Cedric Schuster, emphasized the potential benefits of decreasing costs for battery storage related to solar energy, highlighting the need for energy stability as the nation moves towards renewable solar technology.
In May 2012, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) ministers agreed to the Barbados Declaration, which set renewable energy targets for Pacific island nations. Seven of these nations aim to obtain 100 percent of their electricity from renewable sources. Notably, Tokelau became the first territory in the world powered entirely by solar energy a decade ago, with solar panels currently supplying 75 percent of its electricity, significantly reducing diesel imports.
Rokoseru Nabalarua, chair of Energy Fiji, pointed out that ocean technology could serve as a significant energy resource for the region, suggesting that harnessing ocean currents could lead to sustainable power generation while also paving the way for hydrogen fuel development.
During extreme weather events, fossil fuel imports often fail to reach the islands due to blocked roads and damaged infrastructure. In these situations, supplementary energy sources like solar power are crucial for maintaining electricity supply.
Niue’s finance minister, Crossley Tatui, noted that the insights from the summit, along with the establishment of a new power station, would bolster the island’s resilience, particularly in light of upcoming celebrations.
New Zealand’s National MP Stuart Smith urged the Pacific nations to capitalize on available resources, advocating for investment in projects that enhance self-sufficiency instead of relying solely on financial aid. He suggested that existing diesel generators could be modified to run on biomethane, potentially furthering the region’s transition to renewable energy sources.