Tuvalu’s electricity network is now holding steady and recent outages have been traced to distribution faults rather than failing power plants, Transport and Energy Minister Simon Kofe said on Monday, as the government moves to install temporary and longer‑term backup capacity.
Kofe told media that generators at Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC) “are operating well” and that the blackouts which prompted a 14‑day state of emergency were caused by network problems, not generation failures. The minister said technical teams are already on the ground and international partners are stepping up to shore up resilience while permanent replacements are procured.
A rental generator funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is due to arrive on 28 May and will be deployed as an interim backup for an estimated three to six months while the government completes procurement of permanent standby units. Kofe said procurement processes are being advanced, with bids for long‑term backup generators expected to be sought in early May. The Government of Japan is also “exploring support” to dispatch a Daihatsu specialist to assist with maintenance of TEC’s existing generator fleet.
Officials report tangible progress in integrating existing solar capacity into the grid. Compatibility problems between older generators and new solar equipment have been addressed, and a communication cable fault affecting the battery system has been fixed, Kofe said, allowing solar output to more reliably support generation. Public Works Department and ICT teams are working with TEC to strengthen infrastructure and system security as part of the immediate response.
Beyond hardware, the government is moving to target social impacts from the power disruption. The Department of Energy, together with the Red Cross, is conducting a survey to identify vulnerable households eligible for hardship assistance during and after the emergency period. Australia has also deployed technical advisors to support financial and accounting systems at TEC, a step Kofe said is aimed at improving the utility’s operational resilience.
Fuel supply remains adequate for now, the minister added, with the next tanker shipment scheduled for 13 May. To reduce future vulnerability to supply interruptions, Tuvalu is seeking Australian support to boost local fuel storage capacity. Technical advisers from other partners are reported in‑country to assist with assessment and procurement planning.
The update marks a shift from the alarm of earlier days when widespread outages prompted an emergency declaration. While the clarification that generation assets themselves are functional eases immediate alarm, officials acknowledge risks remain until permanent backup generators are commissioned and storage capacity is increased. Key near‑term milestones to watch are the arrival of the ADB‑funded rental unit on 28 May, the fuel shipment on 13 May, and the opening of procurement for permanent backup in early May.