Strategic Documents and New Partnerships Launched
27 April 2021
Neiafu, Vava'u – The Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) together with the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication (MEIDECC) jointly celebrated PCREEE’s fourth anniversary and the completion of its First Operational Phase:2017-2021 with the launch of two strategic energy documents.
The launch of the Tonga Energy Roadmap (TERM Plus: 2021-2035) framework provides a blueprint for MEIDECC for the development and eventual implementation of the roadmap. The Framework will be used to advance a series of conversations with national stakeholders, investors and development partners to generate history-making trajectories that are relevant and in line with best practices to achieve Tonga’s energy targets. The Framework therefore represents the next step in energy sector road mapping for Tonga, following the initial TERM 2010-2020.
Presenting the TERM Plus Framework to the CEO of MEIDECC [Mr Paula Pouvalu Ma'u], Dr. Tevita Tukunga acknowledged the role of the GGGI in drafting the framework and the tremendous support of the European Union to the energy sector of Tonga. He noted that the initial TERM 2010-2020 was launched and signed at Vavaú and it is only appropriate to launch the TERM Plus at Vavaú too.
The PCREEE Business Plan 2020-2030 was also launched. This document will guide the work of the Centre to support the effort of SPC member countries in the next 10 years. The document is a product of several consultations with SPC member countries including Tonga. It is an effort to ensure this regional plan accommodates the priority needs of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories, as in the TERM Plus.
Presenting the Business Plan to the CEO of MEIDECC [Mr Paula Pouvalu Ma'u], Jesse Benjaman of the PCREEE, outlined the four strategic work programmes in the Business Plan being:
- Energy Business Start-ups and Entrepreneurship Support
- Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency for sustainable mobility
- Renewable Energy Mini-grids
- Energy Efficiency Investment
As part of the celebration, Mr Martin Ledolter, Managing Director, Austrian Development Agency announced that the achievements of the PCREEE in the four years of its first operational phase has made it possible, and for the first time, for ADA to sign a contribution agreement with the PCREEE’s host organisation (SPC). This new and exciting collaboration is to support PCREEE’s Second Operational Phase and the implementation of its Business Plan, in the areas of smart mobility and renewable energy mini-grids.
Concluding the celebration, the PCREEE and the International Solar Alliance and with the support of the France National Institute for Solar Energy (INES) and the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will deliver a series of webinars on renewable energy micro-grids beginning on 28th April. This is part of supporting Pacific Islands in their efforts to build back stronger and cleaner post COVID-19 pandemic and be better prepared for natural disasters.
The launch was a joint event with the Department of Energy of MEIDECC and was supported and coordinated with the kind assistance of Mrs Lucy Fa'anunu (Officer in Charge) and the staff of MEIDECC office in Vava'u,
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