Renewables

PIGGAREP 4th quarter progress report 2011. The key activities implemented this quarter included the following: • Finalisation of the Solomon Island Wind Monitoring Contract • Finalisation of the Kiritimati Island Biofuel feasibility study contract; and, • The Installation of the Vanuatu Wind Monitoring towers. During the 4th quarter only 34% (202,994.94) of 4th quarter budgeted funds ($591,215.40) were spent. And of this amount, $40,831.11 covers PMO related expenses.

PIGGAREP 1st quarter progress report for 2011. The first quarter of 2011 covers the period from 1st January to 31st March. During this period, ongoing activities from the 4th quarter of 2011 were being implemented and with a few new ones that are mentioned in this report. This report is based on the 2011 work plan which was initiated during the 3rd multipartite review meeting (MPR) in November 2010.

PIGGAREP 2nd quarter progress report for 2012. The second quarter of 2012 noted the following key achievements, despite a proper 2012 Annual Work Plan due to delay of the Short Term Consultancy report and recommendations for a workplan 2012 as agreed to by the Project Board:  Completed a Feasibility Study for the Samoa Solar PV Grid Connected project;  Completed installation of six Wind Monitoring towers in six provincial sites in Vanuatu ;  Engagement of a Consultancy to Prepare a Recommended Proactive Strategic Barrier Removal Approach (Short Term Consultancy);  Completed Monitor

PIGGAREP 4th quarter progress report for 2013. The fourth quarter of 2013 noted the following key achievements: Administrative and financial matters: Project expenditure for PIGGAREP by 31.12.2013 was 849,000. This brings the total expenditure of PIGGAREP up to 4,403,435 million USD, leaving the remaining available funds for 2014 at 821,564 USD. The first financial disbursement to the PIGGAREP+ countries (Tonga, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands) was done in Q4 2013.

PIGGAREP 1st quarter progress report for 2013. Since the beginning of 2013, the first was dedicated to ongoing activities from 2012. From those ongoing activities that were carried on to the 1st quarter, the following are the key achievements in that quarter: Successful completion of the Technical Site visit by the Talise Hydropower scheme Community team to the Solomon Islands in March, resulting in the Talise Hydropower team learning of the community-base management and operation of small hydropower scheme.

PIGGAREP First Quarter Progress Report - January to March 2014.

The first quarter of 2014 noted the following key achievements:

IRENAs multi-faceted work in the region is reflected in Pacific Lighthouses: Renewable Energy Roadmapping for Islands. The main report, intended to provide a framework for further action, is supported by 15 reports on specific islands and a document detailing hybrid
power systems for the Pacific. Together, these reports identify key concepts, challenges and best practices for the accelerated uptake of renewable energy in the

Energy security and investment roadmap for Solomon Islands, PNG and Vanuatu.

This proposal has been prepared for the consideration of senior officials and Minsters at the SPC-convened Energy and Transport Ministers Meeting being held in Nadi from 31 March to 4 April 2014. It has been developed by ESCAP with the assistance of Dr. Herbert Wade, an independent consultant who undertook missions to Tuvalu (21-25 January 2014), Kiribati (26 January to 2 February 2014), and Vanuatu (4 - 7 February, 2014) 1 to help determine the feasibility of the PRDR through interviews with key stakeholders in those countries.

COCOGEN Project : A number of Pacific Island countries have started to consider biofuels as a strategic renewable energy option. First successful trials to use straight coconut oil (CNO) have been undertaken in Fiji, Marshall Islands New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Both the University of the South Pacific and the University of Papua New Guinea have started scientific research on the subject. In general opportunities exist to utilize CNO and other vegetable oils as an alternative fuel for transport and electricity generation. Thus the objectives of this project were to;