26 Jul 2019

Tonga's Niuas now have solar power

11:15 am on 26 July 2019

Tonga's northern most islands, the Niuas, now have their own solar power plant, the first off-grid plant in the country.

solar panel

solar panel Photo: 123RF

The Asian Development Bank, with Australia, Denmark and the European Union, contributed to the scheme which will see 740 people in the Niuas have access to renewable power.

This week's ground-breaking ceremony was led by King Tupou VI.

The solar-power plant is the latest milestone of the Outer Islands Renewable Energy Project.

It will provide 210 homes with prepaid metering to improve access to affordable, clean energy.

This off-grid solar plant follows the completion of on-grid solar plants and network upgrades on the islands of Ha'apai and 'Eua.