| About the Project |
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Funding the Project
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The main objective of the project is to improve the rural and per-urban low voltage network in villages in Tongatapu to provide safe, efficient and reliable electricity distribution networks to the houses and businesses in those villages and districts. Due to the poor quality of networks in many of these villages, the power supply is unreliable, inconsistent and inefficient which presents a public safety hazard.
Stage one of the project started in June 2011 and completed in August 2013. This involved upgrading of low voltage networks and service connections to 17 villages. Over 2400 customers in Tongatapu have been connected to the grid and some are getting electricity connection for the first time. Stages two and three of the village project started in January 2014. This involves upgrading the electricity network of 33 villages in Tongatapu over the next 5 years and will see over 7000 families benefit from this project.
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In March 2011, an agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Tongan Government was signed to commence this project in Tongatapu. The New Zealand Aid through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provided a donor funding amount of TOP$ 7.9 million to enable the completion of stage 1 of the Tonga Village Upgrade Project. The New Zealand government also agreed to provide the funding for stages two and three at TOP $32 million.
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Benefits
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Keys benefits of the Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project:
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- Reduces Tonga’s reliance on diesel for power generation.
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| - Improve the safety of the network, reducing the risk of injury and death |
- Increased network efficiency and reliability
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- Improve resilience of the network to withstand extreme weather conditions such as cyclones
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- New connections, with homes and businesses not previously connected to the grid
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- Reduce line faults
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- The inclusion of pre-payment metering to help families struggling with their monthly power bills
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- Recruitment and training of new linesmen and lineswomen
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- Purchase of locally grown and treated power poles for use in the project. Key inputs to the project is fsdomestically sourced
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| Key Dates |
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| Stage One: |
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Stage Two and Three:
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In August 2013, Stage One of the project completed and here are the villages:
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Stage two and three of the Tonga Village Upgrade is currently underway and will involve upgrading of the low voltage electricity network to 33 villages starting from Kanokupolu to Manuka in the next 5 years.
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| - August 2012- Vaotu’u, Ha’utu/Fahefa, Kala’au, sdHa’atafu |
| - January 2013- Houma, Ha’asini/Hamula, Nakolo, fsfLavengatonga |
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- January 2014- Kanokupolu, ‘Ahau, Kolovai, fsfHa’avakatolo, Masilamea, Te’ekiu, Nukunuku
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| - April 2013- Fatumu, Haveluliku, Afa, Kolonga |
- September 2014- Fatai, Lakepa, Matahau, sdfLiahona, Matangiake, Kahoua, Pea, Tokomololo |
| - July 2013- Niutoua
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- June 2016- Ha’ateiho, Veitongo, Nukuhetulu, fsfFolaha, Longoteme |
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- August 2016- Vaini, Pelehake, Fua’amotu, ‘Alaki, sdTatakamotonga
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- August 2018- Lapaha, Talasiu, Hoi, Nukuleka, sdMakaunga, Talafo’ou, Navutoka, Manuka
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