This report was prepared by Empower Consultants Limited. The Namdrik Atoll solar project has had a somewhat chequered history. Before
proceeding with the Outer Island electrification programme, GoRMI wished to
understand the issues arising from this experience so as to better scope the forward
programme of bringing light to the remaining 20 atolls that have no access to
environmentally friendly commercial fuels. Under its PIEPSAP project, the South
Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) agreed to fund an investigation with
the main aims of characterising the technical and socio-economic conditions on
Namdrik, deriving conclusions and recommendations for the forward programme
grounded in the experience of solar electrification on the atoll, and investigating the
potential for utilisation of coconut oil (CNO) as a biofuel diesel substitute.