FUNAFUTI — Tuvalu’s 14-day state of emergency over its electricity system is due to end on Monday, 27 April 2026, but authorities say further measures are being rushed in to ensure continuity of supply, with a rental generator funded by the Asian Development Bank expected to arrive on 28 May.
Transport and Energy Minister Simon Kofe told reporters on Monday that while the immediate crisis response is being scaled back as the emergency lapses, the Government and international partners are moving quickly to bolster backup capacity and system resilience. “Generators are operating well. Recent blackouts were due to network issues, not generator faults,” Kofe said, stressing that the planned rental unit will serve as a temporary safeguard while permanent replacements are procured.
The ADB-funded rental generator is intended to provide 3–6 months of backup power. Procurement processes for permanent backup generators are already under way, with bids expected in early May, according to Kofe. He said technical advisors are in-country to assist with assessment and implementation of those procurements and related upgrades.
Australia and Japan are among the partners stepping in. Kofe said technical advisers from Australia are supporting the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation’s (TEC) financial and operational systems, while the Government of Japan was exploring sending a Daihatsu specialist to assist with the island’s existing generators. Public Works and ICT teams are also working with TEC on infrastructure and system security upgrades to reduce future network failures.
Kofe reported progress in integrating renewable energy with the island grid, saying solar output can now better support generation after communication cable faults affecting the battery system were repaired. Stabilising that link is seen as critical for reducing dependence on diesel and improving resilience to supply shocks.
Fuel stocks are reported stable for now. Kofe said the next fuel tanker is scheduled to arrive on 13 May, and Australia is assisting efforts to increase on-island fuel storage capacity to guard against future disruptions. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy and the Red Cross are conducting a survey to identify households eligible for hardship assistance during the emergency period.
The Government frames the ADB rental unit and the incoming technical support as bridging measures while procurement and infrastructure upgrades proceed. With bids for permanent generators due early next month and international advisers on the ground, officials say Tuvalu aims to transition from short-term contingency arrangements to more durable solutions that better accommodate solar integration and protect essential services.