3 Jun 2015

Tonga confident to reach renewable energy goals

7:46 am on 3 June 2015

Tonga's electricity supplier says there is no doubt it will reach the goal of having at least half of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Maama Mai Solar Facility, Tonga Power Limited.

Maama Mai Solar Facility, Tonga Power Limited. Photo: Tonga Power Limited.

The Tonga Energy Road Map, or TERM, launched in 2010 aimed to reduce the country's reliance on expensive imported diesel and set the 2020 goal.

Tonga currently produces just 8 percent of its energy from renewable sources - 2 percent more than last year.

The CEO of Tonga Power Limited, says three donor-funded solar farms have been established around the country so far.

Robert Matthews says they will make the 50 percent goal.

"I can sit here with my hand on my heart and say to you that it's very achievable. There's no doubt in my mind that it's very very achievable."

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