Wolfgang Weitlaner

Pacific island nation seeks to serve as a model with its photovoltaic project

The government of Tuvalu seeks to make its country a model of exclusively renewable energy by 2020. The elevation of the small Pacific island nation is only a few meters above sea level. Recently Tuvalu made worldwide headlines due to fears that the island would sink due to rising sea levels from global warming. Indeed, increases in tidal waves and cyclones have been observed.

New photovoltaic system will meet 5% of power demand

In cooperation with e8, a non-profit organization consisting of ten electric companies from G8 nations, a 40 KW photovoltaic system, the largest in the nation, has been installed on the main island of Funafuti. On the roof of the stadium, photovoltaic elements enable savings of 17,000 liters of diesel fuel. The system meets some 5% of the power demand and reduces CO2 emissions by 50 tons annually.

However, the installation of this photovoltaic system does not satisfy the ambitions of the Tuvaluans. Soon the original $410,000 e8 project will be extended to 60 KW. An additional $800,000 photovoltaic project on the island of Vaitupu will supply the Motofua Secondary School with power. This project, to be completed by the end of 2009, is being financed with contributions from Italy.

Tuvalu seeks to be energy model

The project in Tuvalu means more than just providing clean power, says e8 Director Johane Meagher. Tuvalu, whose total land area is only 26 square kilometers, consists of five atolls and four flat corral islands. Alone the transport of diesel fuel to fire generators is very dangerous because none of the islands except Funafuti has a harbor; fuel ships need to be unloaded to auxiliary boats, and the danger of oil spillage is very high. The photovoltaic system reduces this danger to the environment.

Furthermore, Tuvalu hopes to serve as an example to the world. Kausea Natano, Tuvalu’s Minister for Public Energy and Industry, expressed the wish that large nations will follow the example of the small island nation.

Source: Pressetext.at