ADB supporting clean energy schemes in the Pacific

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
ADB has a current Pacific energy sector portfolio of US$355 million. Credit: ADB

Manila-based bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is partnering with governments, communities and the private sector to support clean energy projects in the Pacific region.

For solar specifically, ADB is helping install PV systems on five of the Cook Islands to help the government achieve its goal of supplying 100% of inhabited islands with renewable energy by 2020. Together these systems will stand at about 3MW coupled with batteries. Further grant financing will expand the scope of the project with the installation of three additional battery energy storage systems, contributing a preliminary capacity of 3MWh and 12MWh.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Meanwhile, in the Solomon Islands, ADB is supporting the country’s drive for hydro and solar power with US$15.2 million of developments. ADB is also working on US$30 million of solar development in Nauru. Among a long list of other small-scale solar developments with ADB support, Chuuk State will have solar-diesel hybrid integration systems, while Yap state will have 1.2MW of floating solar.

In the Federated States of Micronesia, ADB will implement four subprojects to build renewables capacity in each of the country’s states and to increase battery storage, improve system efficiency, and increase electrification rates.

ADB has a current Pacific energy sector portfolio of US$355 million, with a pipeline of 17 projects in 11 Pacific countries worth US$725 million, including US$449.89 million in co-financing over 2017-2020.

In its ‘Pacific Energy Update 2017’ ADB said as energy demand in Asia and the Pacific grows rapidly, ADB is helping to improve regional energy systems by promoting renewables and improving governance.

Countries being focused on include:

  • Cook Islands
  • Fiji
  • Marshall Islands
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Nauru
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Samoa
  • Solomon Islands
  • Timor-Leste
  • Tonga
  • Vanuatu

Michael Trainor, energy specialist from ADB’s Pacific Department, said: “In its capacity as the largest investor in renewable energy in the Pacific, ADB is improving efficiency and scaling up the use of renewable energy to drive resilient, low-carbon economic growth for a more prosperous Pacific.”

Read Next

June 6, 2025
rPlus Energies has secured more than US$500 million for an 800MW solar-plus-storage project in Emery County, Utah, US.  
June 5, 2025
Policy uncertainty in the US is likely to disrupt investment in clean energy, according to a recent report from Crux.
June 3, 2025
Danish renewables firm European Energy has secured a €145 million (US$158 million) long-term loan to finance a 78.5MW solar park co-located with a 50MW battery storage plant in Anykščiai, Lithuania.
May 28, 2025
The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia has launched a Federal Council initiative to accelerate the development of floating solar (FPV) on artificial lakes.
May 28, 2025
Renewables developer Solaria has reached an agreement in principle with Spanish bank Banco Sabadell to finance a 175MW solar PV plant in Spain.
May 21, 2025
Installation of the anchoring system for what has been badged the world’s first floating offshore solar-wind project has been completed.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece