| |
 |
| Balwyn Fa'otusia (CEO-MoF.NP), 'Ofa Fa'anunu (Acting CEO-MEIDECC), Hiroyuki Kobayashi (Deputy Director General of JICA's Industrial Development-JICA), Robert Matthews (CEO-TPL), Finau Moa (Acting CEO-MPE). |
| |
| Discussions are underway for the installation of the wind power generation system in Niutoua on the eastern side of Tongatapu. |
| |
| Representatives from the Ministry of Public Enterprises, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Ministry of MEIDECC and the Government of Japan were present at the JICA office on Friday, 13th January to sign the Minutes of Discussions (MOD) on the Preparatory Survey for the Project for Installation of Wind Power Generation System in Tonga. |
| |
| The objective of the Project is to introduce renewable energy and diverse the power supply sources by installation of wind power generation system and grid stabilization system in Tongatapu Island, thereby contributing to a stable energy supply. |
| |
| The Wind Power Project will contribute towards the Government of Tonga’s target to meet 50% of electricity generation from renewable resources by 2020 to improve energy security and reduce Tonga’s reliance on imported diesel fuel to generate electricity. |
| |
| Officials from the Government of Tonga acknowledged the assistance of the Government of Japan through JICA to the Government of Tonga over the years towards the infrastructure sector and the energy sector. JICA has been in the forefront of providing assistance to the Government of Tonga over the years and has contributed to enhancing capacities of countries in developing countries including Tonga. |
| |
| The Acting CEO for MEIDECC, ‘Ofa Fa’anunu said, “Tonga is one of the few countries in the Pacific Region with high electricity tariff. It is the Government’s desire to move towards 50% generation of electricity from renewable energy which will not only reduce electricity tariff but also reduces carbon emissions from displaced diesel generation, thus mitigating the effects of climate change in the Pacific Region”. |
| |
| Robert Matthews, TPL’s CEO said “The Government of Japan has not just provided us with plans to fund the Tongatapu wind power generation system, but has also funded the 1 Megawatt solar facility with the first stabilizing capacitor and micro-grid control system in Vaini.” |
| |
| He adds, “On behalf of Tonga Power, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Government of Japan for their ongoing support and we look forward to future collaboration on this project”. |
| |
| The JICA Mission Delegation for the signing was led by Mr. Hiroyuki Kobayashi, the Deputy Director General of JICA’s Industrial Development and Public Policy Department. |
| |
 |
| Balwyn Fa'otusia (CEO-MoF.NP), 'Ofa Fa'anunu (Acting CEO-MEIDECC), Hiroyuki Kobayashi (Deputy Director General of JICA's Industrial Development-JICA), Robert Matthews (CEO-TPL), Finau Moa (Acting CEO-MPE) |
| |