Renewable energy in Tuvalu

Renewable energy in Tuvalu is a growing sector of the country's energy supply. Tuvalu has committed to sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy. This is considered possible because of the small size of the population of Tuvalu and its abundant solar energy resources due to its tropical location. It is somewhat complicated because Tuvalu consists of nine inhabited islands. The Tuvalu National Energy Policy (TNEP) was formulated in 2009, and the Energy Strategic Action Plan defines and directs current and future energy developments so that Tuvalu can achieve the ambitious target of 100% renewable energy for power generation by 2020.[1] The program is expected to cost 20 million US dollars and is supported by the e8, a group of 10 electric companies from G8 countries.[2] The Government of Tuvalu worked with the e8 group to develop the Tuvalu Solar Power Project, which is a 40 kW grid-connected solar system that is intended to provide about 5% of Funafuti’s peak demand, and 3% of the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation's annual household consumption.[2]

Tuvalu participates in the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), which is a coalition of small island and low-lying coastal countries that have concerns about their vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change. Under the Majuro Declaration, which was signed on 5 September 2013, Tuvalu has commitment to implement power generation of 100% renewable energy (between 2013 and 2020), which is proposed to be implemented using Solar PV (95% of demand) and biodiesel (5% of demand). The feasibility of wind power generation will be considered.[3] In November 2015 Tuvalu committed to reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases from the electricity generation (power) sector to almost zero emissions by 2025.[4]

In November 2019, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a US$6 million grant to the Government of Tuvalu to fund the production of electricity from renewable energy sources from 15% to 32% in Funafuti and from around 70% to over 90% in Tuvalu's outer islands. Funafuti will receive rooftop solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems and the outer islands of Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, and Nui will receive climate resilient, ground-mounted, solar photovoltaic systems. When the project is complete, 35% of electricity generation during daylight hours will be from renewable energy sources.[5]

  1. ^ Andrew McIntyre; Brian Bell & Solofa Uota (February 2012). ""Fakafoou – To Make New": Tuvalu Infrastructure Strategy and Investment Plan" (PDF). Government of Tuvalu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Tuvalu Solar Power Project" (PDF). e8 General Secretariat. 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Majuro Declaration: For Climate Leadership". Pacific Islands Forum. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Intended Nationally Determined Contributions Communicated to the UNFCCC" (PDF). Government of Tuvalu. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  5. ^ "ADB to Support New Solar Project in Tuvalu". Asian Development Bank. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.