20 Feb 2014

Solar energy project on Niue about to be launched

4:33 pm on 20 February 2014

A solar energy project being launched in Niue tomorrow is expected to save the island at 115,000 US dollars a year.

The installation has been funded by the Japanese government, under a renewable energy programme.

The completion of the latest project is in addition to previous solar installations and the secretary to the government Richard Hipa, says the long-term target is for Niue to be 80 to 100 percent solar powered.

He says the island will save money with less fossil fuel imports needed.

"The conversion of power from sun which will fit into our main power station, the grid, will be utilised by the whole island and we're looking forward to reducing the fossil generated fuel."

Richard Hipa says the total capacity of power at the island's main station will lift by about 30 to 40 percent as a result of the latest solar project.