Three new solar PV plants have been installed in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu under the United Arab Emirates-Pacific Partnership Fund (UAE-PPF), the fund announced.

It said the development marked a new milestone for an imaginative and innovative initiative that has captured international attention with its potential for developing countries.  

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, the CEO of Masdar, said: “Secure sources of clean energy are becoming an increasingly critical component of economic and social development. Island nations in the Pacific are especially vulnerable to some of the highest fuel costs in the world due to their dependence on imports. By helping to alleviate their energy burden, we are enabling these Pacific nations to allocate more of their resources to accelerating economic growth and maximising the potential of their inhabitants.”

The completed project is the latest stage in the implementation of the UAE-PPF, a $50 million initiative managed by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, in close coordination with the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development provides the project funding for the entire Pacific programme.

“The continued success of the UAE-PPF is tangible evidence of Masdar’s ability to develop workable renewables solutions and deploy them in the service of the UAE’s bilateral partnerships with countries around the world. We have already helped to make a real difference in the six countries we are currently partnering, and we believe this partnership fund could provide a model for similar agreements around the world,” added Al Ramahi.

Vanuatu is a nation of 82 islands with a population of 225,000. Port Villa, one of the more densely populated islands, is home to 44,000 people, of whom only 27 per cent have access to electricity. While the island already has some local renewable energy generation capacity – including solar PV, wind, and hydro – the majority of energy demand is still met by diesel generators.

The solar PV installations in Vanuatu consist of 644 kWp ground-mounted and car park structures at the Parliament House premises, and a 123kWp ground-mounted installation at the Meteorology and Geo-Hazard Department building.