Tuvalu’s 14‑day State of Emergency will end on Monday, 27 April, but the country is moving quickly to shore up its fragile power system with temporary and longer‑term measures, Transport and Energy Minister Simon Kofe said on Monday. The latest developments include an Asian Development Bank‑funded rental generator due to arrive on 28 May, technical advisers already on the ground, and procurement processes for permanent backup generators slated to begin in early May.
Kofe told reporters that the immediate crisis has stabilised and that recent blackouts were the result of network faults rather than failures of generating units. “Generators are operating well. Recent blackouts were due to network issues, not generator faults,” he said, adding that communication cable problems with the battery system have now been fixed and solar integration into the grid has improved after earlier compatibility challenges with older plant.
The ADB‑funded rental unit is expected to serve as interim backup for three to six months while bids are sought for permanent generators. Technical advisers are currently in‑country to support the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC) and to help fast‑track procurement. Bids for long‑term backup are expected to be called in early May, Kofe said, underscoring that a rapid acquisition remains a priority to reduce future vulnerability.
International partners have stepped up assistance. Australia will provide technical advisors to strengthen TEC’s financial and operational systems and is helping to boost national fuel storage capacity, Kofe said. The Government of Japan is exploring support to dispatch a Daihatsu specialist to assist with existing generators. Domestic agencies, including the Public Works Department and ICT teams, are working alongside TEC to harden infrastructure and improve system security.
Fuel supply is described as stable for the moment, with the next tanker scheduled to deliver fuel on 13 May. In the meantime, the Department of Energy and the Red Cross are surveying households affected during the emergency to identify those eligible for hardship assistance. The combination of a scheduled fuel shipment, incoming technical support and the ADB‑backed rental generator is intended to bridge the gap while permanent solutions are procured and installed.
The update marks the latest stage in a series of emergency measures that prompted the declaration of the State of Emergency earlier this month. While Kofe’s briefing indicates immediate pressure on supply has eased, the government’s reliance on external support and a short‑term rental solution highlights continuing risks for the low‑lying Pacific atoll nation as it balances diesel generation with expanding solar and battery systems.
In a separate regional development reported in the same bulletin, Palau’s political and business figurehead Surangel Whipps Senior has died at the age of 86. Whipps, described as a leader and business pioneer, was a prominent voice in Palau’s public life.