Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, has delivered two UAE-funded solar projects in two Pacific island nations that will collectively reduce 1,200 tonnes of CO₂ emissions while saving $545,000 in fossil fuel costs annually.

Starting yesterday (October 13), Tuvalu inaugurated a 500 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant on the atoll of Funafuti.

A 500 kW solar PV and water protection plant on the Tarawa atoll of the Republic of Kiribati will also be officially inaugurated this week.  The inaugurations mark the completion of the two solar PV projects co-designed and managed by Masdar in cooperation with the governments of the Pacific island countries of Tuvalu and Kiribati.  

The plant located on Funafuti – the most populated atoll that hosts the capital of the Tuvalu island nation – was funded by the $50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

The majority of the system is built on a four-metre structure creating 1,840 sq m of shaded public space that is limited on the atoll.  In addition, it includes a new workshop-storage facility with 540 sq m floor space, as well as further space for office and recreational use.  The Funafuti solar and space creation project will not only supply electricity to over 800 homes by yearly generating 783,000 kWh, but will also save 206,000 litres of diesel each year – bringing about a saving of $280,000 and a reduction in CO₂ emissions of 570 tonnes annually.

Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, said: “These two projects not only demonstrate the UAE and Masdar’s commitment to helping Pacific island nations deploy sustainable renewable energy solutions, which play a vital role in driving forward the social and economic development for the people of Tuvalu and Kiribati, but clearly, and equally important, also highlight the ongoing work we are doing to combat climate change through our renewable energy projects.”

According to Dr Belhoul, the acceleration of the adoption of renewable energy and reduction of pollution are imperatives to promote climate change mitigation – and therefore the diversification of the energy mix through deployment of renewable energy is considered vital to this goal.

“As a strong supporter of COP 21 as well as the energy-related sustainable development goal adopted by the United Nations, Masdar’s efforts to limit the impact of climate change, including our commitment to broaden access to clean energy for a greater number of people, are clearly demonstrated through the delivery of the solar plants of Tuvalu and Kiribati,” he added.

Development of the 500 kW solar and water protection project on Tarawa, Kiribati, was started in December 2014, and completed in August this year.  It will officially be inaugurated later this week.  The republic, comprising 33 coral atolls, lies in the Central Pacific, and has a population of more than 100,000 – half of whom live on Tarawa atoll where the capital, South Tarawa, is situated.

The plant protects the only aquifer located on the island that has been under threat of contamination due to high levels of human migration to the area as a result of limited living space. The plant features advanced technologies to control output and will annually deliver 855,000 kWh to 860 homes.

It will cut back on more than 227,000 litres of diesel, resulting in an approximate saving of $265,000 which may be repurposed for other developmental areas.  The plant will also reduce CO₂ emissions by 627 tonnes each year. – TradeArabia News Service