THE Australian Government is partnering with Pacific nations to improve energy security and scale up energy grid transition with a AUD125 million (SBD687.5 million) investment in renewable energy.
Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, announced the funding at COP29 at an event attended by Solomon Islands’ Minister for the Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, the Hon Trevor Hedley Mahaga.
The announcement comprises a AUD75 million (SBD412.5 million) investment through the REnew Pacific program and AUD50 million (SBD275 million) through the Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition (APPET) program.
The event at the Australian Pavilion at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, showcased four off-grid renewable energy partnerships currently underway in Guadalcanal, Central, Malaita and Western provinces.
Australia has invested SBD5.4 million to deliver these projects in partnership with Archipelago Energy, Pelena, Superfly Limited, Mai-Maasina Green Belt, Save the Children Solomon Islands and the Vavanga community leaders.
Minister Bowen said “climate change is no longer an abstract concern, it’s a reality and an existential threat for Pacific nations. Australia is working with our Pacific neighbours to strengthen their energy security and accelerate the renewable energy transformation across our region.”
Delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, the ‘REnew Pacific’ program will help deliver off-grid and community scale renewable energy in remote and rural parts of the Pacific, including in Solomon Islands.
The program will enable lighting, access to water, improved agriculture, better food security, quality education and health services, reliable communications connectivity, and enhanced incomes.
The APPET funding responds to Pacific priorities to capture more of the benefits of renewable energy investments. This may include energy transition modelling, grid studies, renewable energy project feasibility studies, university collaborations and other activities to support energy transition progress.
It will support the skills and training needed to grow the Pacific’s renewable energy workforce and provide practical, Pacific-led support to Pacific governments and energy operators.
Australia recently announced an additional AUD9 million (SBD50 million) contribution to the Pacific Regional NDC Hub, which is designed to respond to Pacific requests for support on a range of climate activities.
Source: Australia High Commission in Solomon Islands