FUNAFUTI, 27 April 2026 — Tuvalu’s electricity supply is currently stable as a 14‑day state of emergency ends, but the government and international partners are rushing temporary and longer‑term measures to guard against further outages, Transport and Energy Minister Simon Kofe said on Monday.
Kofe told reporters generators were functioning well and recent blackouts were caused by network faults rather than failures of generation equipment. To bolster capacity while permanent solutions are arranged, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has funded a rental generator scheduled to arrive on 28 May. The unit is intended to provide backup for three to six months as procurement of new permanent generators proceeds.
Technical fixes to the nation’s renewable systems have already eased pressure on diesel generation, Kofe said. Communication cable faults with the battery system — which had been preventing solar from reliably supporting the grid — have been repaired, and compatibility issues between newer solar arrays and older generator controls have been addressed. Those repairs mean solar now contributes more effectively to meeting demand, reducing short‑term reliance on fuel imports.
International assistance is being mobilised on several fronts. Japan is preparing to send a Daihatsu specialist to help maintain and optimise Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC) generators, while Australian technical advisers will work with TEC to strengthen financial management and accounts. The Public Works Department and ICT teams are also collaborating with TEC to harden infrastructure and system security, Kofe said.
Procurement activity is advancing: technical teams are on the ground and bids for permanent backup generators are expected to open in early May. Meanwhile, fuel logistics are being secured — the next tanker shipment is scheduled for 13 May — and Canberra is supporting efforts to expand domestic fuel storage capacity to reduce vulnerability to future supply disruptions.
Social protection measures are being put in place for households affected during the emergency period. The Department of Energy, together with the Red Cross, is conducting a survey to identify households eligible for hardship assistance. Kofe said these measures form part of a broader push to move from emergency response to strengthening the resilience of Tuvalu’s energy system.
While the immediate outlook is calmer, Kofe cautioned that risks remain. Network fragility, limited storage and the time required to procure and install permanent generation mean the country will rely on temporary support in the coming months as upgrades and capacity‑building work continue.