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| King Tupou VI cuts the ribbon at the Mata 'o e La'a Solar Facility. Vaini, 29 May 2015 |
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| “Mata ‘o e La’a”, literally to mean “Face of the Sun”, is a biblically inspired and symbolic name bequeathed to the newly constructed facility by His Majesty Tupou VI. |
| The facility will meet 3 percent of the electricity needs of the main island of Tongatapu and support the Government of Tonga’s ultimate goal for the people to access renewable energy sources that are clean, secured, safe and most importantly affordable. |
| The one megawatt solar facility is only the second of its kind to be installed by a Japanese company and the first to be offered as a major project by JICA to any country in the world. |
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| Dedication ceremony |
| The ceremony was hosted by the Power Generation Manager of Tonga Power Ltd, Mr Michael Lani ‘Ahokava. |
| Amongst those present at the commissioning were the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Mr. Numata and other leading dignitaries from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the Republic of China. |
| After the hymn and scripture readings, the Minister for Public Enterprises, Hon. Poasi Tei greeted Their Majesties and invited guests. |
| “This project started with a vision by the Governments committee, the Tonga Energy Road Map (TERM) almost three years ago to reduce Tonga’s vulnerability to oil price shocks. A vision that would open up doors for renewable developments in Tonga to drive down electricity prices through a reduced reliance on diesel”, stated the Minister for Public Enterprises. |
| “This one Megawatt Solar Farm is highly advanced in terms of the technology being used. Not only will the people of Tonga see a reduction in the cost of electricity, but it ensures that the new solar facility can make allowances to co-ordinate with future renewable generation projects in Tonga”, he added. |
| Following the livening and commissioning of the solar facility, the occasion was honored with the Kagamiwari ceremony, a Japanese traditional ritual to signify the project’s accomplishment. The ceremony involves a cask of Sake which was cracked open with a wooden mallet by ten dignitaries from Tonga and Japan. |
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| H.E. Mr Yukio Numata, Noble Tevita 'Unga, Mr Hidetoshi Irigaki, Hon.Siaosi Sovaleni, Hon.Poasi Tei, Carl Sanft. Vaini, 29 May 2014 |
| In his address to the gathering, the Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni said this is a step further towards realizing the Government’s objective of 50% renewable generation by 2020. |
| “In 2011, the Government identified electricity expenses for Tonga, at 9.5% GDP for power and fuel expenses. This is indeed a significant amount”, he added. |
| He further elaborated on the projects which have been implemented to date which included the Maama Mai solar facility, La’a Lahi solar farm in Vava’u, the 550 solar home units for the outer islands of Vava’u, ‘Anana, ‘Eueiki and stage one of the Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project. |
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| “I believe these energy development activities are necessary perquisites for the continued economic development of our nation. The less money allocated to the cost for paying power, the more money families will have to pay for the needs of education and health”. |
| The Government of Tonga is discussing several other projects with development partners from Japan and New Zealand. The Deputy Prime Minister said that the Government is confident these discussions will translate to significant renewable projects for Tonga, where wind and biomass would become an alternative source of power generation. |
| The Ambassador of Japan, HE Mr Yukio Numata in his remarks said, “The new Mata ‘o e La’a Solar Facility demonstrates the commitment by the Government of Japan to sustainable development in the Pacific and to assist Tonga’s determination to protect life and dignity” |
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| Ambassador of Japan, Mr Yukio Numata. Vaini, 29 May 2015 |
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| Project Cost |
| This USD$15 million project funded by the Government of Japan through Japan’s International Grant Aid is equivalent to TOP$26.9 million and a $1 million pa’anga contribution from Tonga Power Ltd for the provision of land and project support. |
| The project included the micro-grid control system at $9.3 million, photovoltaic panels at $10.24 million, $7.2 million for installation and $547, 000 was allocated for staff training. Overall, the solar facility was built at a cost of about $28 million pa’anga. |
| Carl Sanft, the Chairman of the Tonga Power Ltd Board, said that without renewable generation projects, the electricity tariff will be much higher. The solar facility could generate up to 1.3 GWH per annum of electricity reducing diesel usage by 327, 000 litres annually, saving $563,000 pa’anga per year in fuel costs. |
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| After the unveiling of the plaque, HM King Tupou VI, HE. Yukio Numata, Hon. Poasi Tei, Carl Sanft. |
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| Construction |
| At the completion of the construction work, some 3,840 solar panels on concrete foundation have been installed, and two electrical buildings have been built to house all the electrical components required for the project with a 13k long run fibre-optic cable to connect the Mata ‘o e La’a solar facility and Popua power station. |
| The facility was constructed by the Consortium of NBK Corporation and Fuji Electric Co. Ltd who were awarded the contract for delivering the project with Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd as the project consultant. |
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| ENDS |
| For further information please contact: |
| Jane Guttenbeil |
| Marketing & Communications Advisor |
| Tonga Power Ltd |
| M: (+76) 7720002 |
| E: jguttenbeil@tongapower.to |
| W: www.tongapower.to |