Tuvalu’s power system is holding steady but remains vulnerable, Transport and Energy Minister Simon Kofe said on April 27, as the 14‑day state of emergency declared for the energy crisis is due to end on Monday. Kofe announced a short‑term backup plan and gave firm dates for incoming support, including a rental generator funded by the Asian Development Bank that is expected to arrive on May 28 and will be kept in place for an estimated three to six months while permanent units are procured.
Kofe told reporters recent blackouts were caused by network faults rather than failures of generating units, and that the island nation’s existing generators are “operating well.” He said solar integration into the grid has improved after earlier compatibility problems: a communications cable issue with the battery system has been fixed, allowing solar capacity to contribute more reliably to overall generation while older generator compatibility is addressed.
International partners are being mobilised to bolster technical and operational capacity. Japan is exploring sending a Daihatsu specialist to assist with maintenance of the current TEC (Tuvalu Electricity Corporation) generators, while Australian technical advisers are already in‑country to support procurement and to strengthen TEC’s financial systems and accounts. Public Works Department and ICT teams are working with TEC to shore up infrastructure and system security, Kofe added.
Procurement for permanent backup generators is underway, with bids expected to be called in early May. The rental ADB unit will provide an immediate buffer during the procurement and delivery period. Fuel supplies are currently stable, Kofe said, with the next tanker shipment scheduled for May 13, and Canberra is assisting plans to increase on‑island fuel storage capacity to reduce exposure to future supply disruptions.
The Government is also addressing the social impacts of the emergency. The Department of Energy, together with the Red Cross, is conducting a household survey to identify those eligible for hardship assistance during the emergency period, Kofe said, signalling targeted relief for residents most affected by power interruptions.
The minister’s update clarifies the technical causes behind outages and sets out a timeline for fixes and reinforcements just as the state of emergency lapses. While immediate generation appears secure, the measures reflect lingering risks from aging equipment, past compatibility problems between renewables and legacy generators, and limited fuel buffers — problems common across many small Pacific grids. The combination of temporary ADB‑funded capacity, technical assistance from partners, and planned procurement aims to reduce the chance of repeat disruptions as longer‑term upgrades proceed.
Kofe stressed progress but warned vigilance remains necessary: “Generators are operating well. Recent blackouts were due to network issues, not generator faults,” he said, while noting ongoing work to strengthen storage, communications and the financial and operational foundations of TEC so the system can better withstand future shocks.