Transcript
PAULA MA'U: It's a joint effort by the Pacific islands countries and territories and SPC from their leaders to establish a centre of excellence for renewable energy. SPC go the job to establish the office and through one of the visits of the Director-General of the SPC to Tonga in 2015 discussions were held in Tonga [and they were] interested to host the centre. SPC agreed to it.
KORO VAKA'UTA: In terms of the benefits it brings to Tonga though, why was Tonga so keen to host this office?
PM: First reason, renewable energy and energy efficiency I think is one of the main issues globally. Going renewable and also being efficient in the use of energy of course would be of great benefit for us. Like employment, some of our people will be employed in this centre and it's a regional office so likely a few experts, not only from the region, but from around the world, will join the centre. They will be having accommodation and particularly for our engineers, local engineers to have some proper qualifications. It is very highly technical, it's new technology. That is why Tonga will be benefited.
KV: What is Tonga providing as host to this office?
PM: Tonga will providing the office for the centre and also provide a few staff from our energy department of the ministry to work at the centre and also immunities and usual privileges for any international organisation here in Tonga. Those are the basics for a host.
KV: I guess this does show that Tonga's work with renewable energy, sustainable energy, seems to have been recognised around the region.
PM: That is very true. It started from 2010 when we had our TERM or Tonga Energy Road Map, the first road map I believe in the Pacific. From there, SPC especially, and also other CROP (Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific) agencies in the Pacific recognised Tonga's efforts to move into renewable energy. I think this is one of the outcomes of it, the centre being established here in Tonga.
KV: How many staff are going to be at this office?
PM: Currently we are providing three staff from the ministry and SPC will provide, over time, five staff and of course they will be recruiting some other international experts. So we are looking, for the first year of the office, to be about 10 and develop from there.
