This week, people of the island of ‘O’ua marked a milestone with the successful installation of its solar PV mini-grid to provide residents with 24-hour electricity making it the second island in Tonga to run 100% renewable energy all day, everyday.
This achievement follows the completion of solar panel installations, inverters, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) by Infratec NZ, led by Tim Ellis. The JH Electrical Contractor, under Madrid Helu, has been laying underground cables to each household.
The commissioning engineers are expected on-site next week for final testing. Polonga Taualupe, the Town Officer, expressed gratitude for the support from Infratec, JH Electrical, and the Tonga Government.
Financial backing for the Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP) came from ADB, DFAT, GCF, and the Ministry of MEIDECC – Department of Energy.
In June, the island of Kotu became the first island in Tonga, under the TREP, to run entirely on renewable energy.
Meanwhile, land clearance and site office installation on the island of Mo’unga’one is underway in preparation for its own power grid installation.
