Funding for the conversion of electricity source for the island of Rakahanga from diesel to solar will soon be a reality with the approval of over US$1million.
A letter from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to the Cook Islands Government confirmed its application for the fund was considered and approved by the Secretariat’s Joint Committee.
The Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Renewable Energy, Hon Henry Puna said the funding was a notable achievement for the Cook Islands, “signaling the realization of our vision for renewable energy the achievement of our policy goals of 50% by 2015 and 100% by 2020.”
“For the people of Rakahanga, this means that they will no longer be solely reliant on the shipment of diesel for electricity – that is now a practice of the past. They will have an electricity source that is totally free abundant in their location. Diesel generators will be kept as back up for solar.”
The Government has agreed on a system for the transfer, accountability and use of funds that must comply with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management Act.
Tangi Tereapii of the Renewable Energy Development Division said the funding decision was the result of many months of dedicated work in partnership with the South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme.
He said the process was originally initiated by the Energy Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning represented by Mr Thomas Jensen and Mr Mata Nooroa who traveled to Rakahanga to collect data to develop the project. This was followed by a full feasibility proposal being submitted to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Ms Andie Fong Toy of the Joint Committee of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat said it was clear that significant effort had gone into the development of the detailed project proposal.
“The project is the second from a Forum Islands Country and the first from a Small Island State, so we extend our sincere congratulations and commendations to the Government of the Cook Islands”.
The Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund is a commitment by the Government of Japan to support Forum Island Country (FIC) projects with a focus on the provision of solar power generation systems and seawater desalination plants, or a combination of both.
The Joint Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Secretary General of Forum Secretariat, comprises senior representatives from the Forum Secretariat and Government of Japan, and provides oversight on the implementation of the PEC Fund initiative.
The transfer of funds will be marked at a signing ceremony planned for 29 September 2011. The Japanese Ambassador, HE Hideto Mitamura, and senior officials from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat are expected attend the signing ceremony.
- PM Office Media Release