ISSUE 24 SEPTEMBER 2017 Newsletter published by the Pacific Community http://prdrse4all.spc.int PacificEnergiser SEPTEMBER 2017 ISSUE NEWSLETTER 24 In this issue: LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE, COORDINATION AND PARTNERSHIPS Third Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’ Meeting: Communiqué ..................................................................................4 Pacific Community opens Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Tonga...................................................................... 7 Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency commences service for Pacific Community members......................................................... 8 PCREEE Consultants...................................................................................... 9 Establishing a Global Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre Network in the Pacific................................................................................. 10 Leadership.................................................................................................. 12 4 CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING, POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS Transformation of the energy sector through legislative frameworks................................................................................................. 13 ENERGY PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY: PETROLEUM Pacific Petroleum Task Force to assist in finding cost effective and reliable petroleum products data and information............................... 14 ENERGY PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY: RENEWABLE ENERGY Exploring solar power as a means of improving educational outcomes in remote Kiribati schools .......................................................... 15 8 A move to address climate change ............................................................. 16 Solar PV system installed at the Christian Community Leaders Manoku School ............................................................................. 17 END-USE ENERGY CONSUMPTION: TRANSPORT ENERGY USE Energy efficiency in land transport in Pacific Island .................................... 18 END-USE ENERGY CONSUMPTION: ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION Regional appliance standards and energy labelling..................................................................................................... 20 Country perspective – Samoa Energy Awareness Campaign.................................................................................................. 22 16 ENERGY DATA AND INFORMATION Updates on the Pacific Regional Data Repository for Sustainable Energy for All (PRDR) .............................................................. 24 OTHER NEWS Congratulations - Heremoni ........................................................................25 Calendar OF Events .............................................................................. 26 ANNIVERSA R Y ANNIVERSAIR E Disclaimer: While all care and diligence has been used in extracting, analysing and compiling information for this publication, SPC gives no warranty that the information is without error. ©Pacific Community, 2017 Cover photo supplied by Coca Cola Amatil (Fiji) Ltd Editorial Message from Deputy Director (Energy), Economic Development Division, SPC Solomone Fifita Bula everyone Welcome to your 24th issue of the Energiser, the first since the Third Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’ Meeting in Tonga on 24–28 April 2017. It is therefore proper that we take time in this issue to reflect on the outcome of the meeting. Visionary The ministers demonstrated true leadership qualities in the meeting by providing a vision for what they would like the energy sector of the region to be. Certainly, they would like to phase out the region’s reliance on fossil fuel by whatever means possible. They therefore declared a vision of 100% renewable energy. They re-emphasised their commitment to the Paris Agreement and its related processes and therefore automatically apply ‘ambition’ and ‘urgency’ to the vision they have set for the region. It simply means that the two major fossil fuel consumption sectors in the region (power and transport) would have to undergo transformation from being fossil fuel-based to being fuelled by renewable energy sources. Consistency The ministers were consistent in their firm stand for a cleaner and healthier environment and did not want any language that would dilute their undisputed belief that a mitigation pathway of 1.5oC is what the world should work towards in order to save our planet. Actions speak louder The ministers acknowledged and praised the achievements made since the last meeting in 2014. Increases in the number and capacity of renewable energy installations in the region were noted. The adoption of renewable energy efficiency legislation was highlighted. The new approach the region has taken to build capacity in sustainable energy and climate change adaptation was adopted as a model to be upscaled, and the increasing attention to energy efficiency in the transport sector was given the go-ahead. Acceleration The tone of the ministers’ meeting outcomeswas one of doing things differently and quickly. It called for reforms and for these reforms to be carried out urgently. Reforms are mostly effective when supported by the political weight of legislation. The region needs to look at energy as a sector by itself, deserving its own umbrella management and coordination legislation supported by subsidiary legislation, including the role of the regulator in this sector. To support the acceleration in the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in the region, the ministers launched the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, with its focus on the private sector, value adding in productive sectors, and sustainable energy entrepreneurship. Results and impacts The ministers want to see and hear about results and impacts. In this respect, they wanted the meeting partners to consider holding the meeting on a biannual basis, rather than every three years. Thank you Finally, Energiser readers, this 24th issue of the newsletter is my last in the capacity of Deputy Director (Energy) in the Economic Development Division of SPC. Seven years ago, I took on the challenge of heading the Regional Energy Programme hosted by SPC, including starting this publication. I am glad that you stood by it 24 times. There are ongoing reforms at SPC to better serve its members and partners. The leadership of the Energy Programme will change and the future of Pacific Energiser will be revisited too. I wish the new management of the Energy Programme all the best and thank you most sincerely for all your support. Malo ‘aupito Solomone Fifita LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE, COORDINATION AND PARTNERSHIPS Delegates from the Third Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers' Meeting Third Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’ Meeting (Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 26–28 April 2017) Theme: Affordable, reliable and sustainable energy and transport services for all COMMUNIQUÉ 1. The Third Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’ Organization (UNIDO), the International Maritime Organization Meeting was organised by the Pacific Community and hosted by (IMO) and many other international and regional inter- the Government of Tonga at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre governmental and non-governmental partner organisations, in Nuku’alofa, Tonga from 26–28 April, 2017. The meeting was universities, civil societies and the private sector. officially opened by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala. The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Siaosi The Ministers: Sovaleni – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, 3. Expressed their deep gratitude to His Royal Highness, Crown Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) and Minister Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and the Government and the people of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Semisi Sika, Minister of Tonga and their co-host, the Pacific Community (SPC), for for Infrastructure. It was attended by the Prime Ministers of the excellent arrangements made in hosting the Third Pacific Cook Islands and Tuvalu and Ministers/Secretary and Associate Regional Energy and Transport Ministers’ Meeting and the Ministers from the following Pacific Island countries and preceding meetings of the Energy and Transport Officials and territories (PICTs): Federated States of Micronesia, French for the generous hospitality extended to them during their Polynesia, Marshall Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, stay in Tonga. They further expressed their appreciation to the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Heads of delegations Honourable Siaosi Sovaleni and the Honourable Semisi Sika for or senior officials also attended on behalf of American Samoa, their capable leadership in chairing the meeting. Australia, Fiji, France, Guam, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau,United States of America and Wallis and Futuna. 4. Congratulated the SPC on the 70th Anniversary, and expressed their gratitude for its invaluable contributions towards the 2. The meeting was also attended by the High Representative sustainable development of its Members. The Ministers for Landlocked Least Developed and Small Island Development reaffirmed the leadership role of SPC in the implementation of States and Under Secretary General, the United Nations the regional frameworks for the Energy and Transport sectors. Secretary-General’s Special Representative