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What has been the progress and achievement(s) over the last 12
months? (continued)
University of the South Pacifi c (USP)
• As a member of Pacifi c Energy Oversight Group, USP leads the capacity building aspect of
the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacifi c (FAESP) Implementation Plan,
which was endorsed by the Pacifi c Energy Ministers in April 2011.
• USP has a long history of assisting its member countries to strengthen their technical
and institutional capacity in the area of renewable energy. The University is involved
in a number of renewable energy projects in the region. These include Project DIREKT,
a €1.2 million ACP - EU funded project (DIREKT- small Developing Island Renewable
Energy Knowledge and Technology transfer network) which aims to enhance cooperation
between the institutes involved in renewable energy science and technology development
in the ACP region and EU institutions. The Government of Korea is providing funding
for a project on renewable energy generation, resource assessment, and capacity building.
The United States Embassy and the French Embassy have both provided funding to
establish solar PV and wind-solar hybrid systems on the main USP campus. These projects
form part of postgraduate students’ research work, and are also used as training sites. The
French Government is also funding two further renewable energy projects, one of which
will assist with the expansion of the solar PV system at Laucala, while the other will help
develop strategies for the replacement of fuel-based lighting in the rural areas.
• The Renewable Energy Group within USP is actively engaged in research in renewable
energy. USP, with the support of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of Pacifi c
Islands (SEIAPI), will lead the development of a certifi cation programme for designers and
installation technicians, including the development of relevant competency standards in
the region.
What progress is anticipated over the next 12 months?
Government of Australia
• The Framework and Implementation Plan will guide Australian and other development
partner support. Priority areas for future support include: robust, whole-of-sector planning
and implementation at the national level; and appropriate regional initiatives that may
be identifi ed under the Regional Energy Framework that complement Pacifi c countries’
own national energy security efforts, such as consumer energy effi ciency and utility
benchmarking.
• Under Australia’s Clean and Affordable Energy initiative ongoing support will be provided
for implementation of the Tonga Energy roadmap. Similar support will be rolled out for
the development and implementation of energy sector roadmaps in Vanuatu and Kiribati.
Government of Cook Islands
• Further investigation of renewable energy options – solar, wind, biomass, biofuel and
waste energy.
• Tariff review.
• Institutional restructuring.
• Policy and regulatory adjustment.
• Community education and awareness programmes.
Government of Kiribati