Diesel-generated power used to be a way of life in Mitiaro and the other outer islands of the Cook Islands. That meant regular power interruptions and entire days when there was no power at all. But the development of a $43 million solar power grid, co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and key partners, has created clean, affordable, and sustainable power and transformed life, school, and doing business for many Cook Islanders.
When I was a little girl, we didn’t actually have electricity on the island. Some years later, we ended up using diesel for our generators. And that was the start of electricity into the home as we know it.
The electricity powering Cindy’s business comes from these new solar midi-grids, part of the $43 million Cook Islands Renewable Energy Project, co-financed by ADB, the European Union, the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility.
In the days of the diesel operation, we used to have a lot of failures. We never had 24-hour power then, it would run for three days a week, five days a week, and once we’ve gone to solar energy, we’ve had 24/7 electricity which has just been absolutely brilliant. We’re able to install electric fans, we’ve got refrigerators, we’ve got electric stoves which we’d never had in the past. And you’re able to have a lot more lights throughout your building for everyone’s comfort.
Well, energy is always an import aspect of development. And particularly for our remote communities in our outer islands, energy has always been a challenge. So for us, the sensible solution has been to use renewable energy, in particular, solar energy, to meet those energy demands.
Te Aponga Uira acknowledges the invaluable support provided by the ADB through the Cook Islands Government. This support has enabled Te Aponga Uira to access financing to support key RE projects through the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility as well as other sources. We look forward to continued support tailored to the needs of the Cook Islands to ensure the success of achieving our renewable energy goals.
Being a baker on the island, I believe solar has so many advantages for me especially baking 24/7 as well as at midnight and in morning, because I believe that before that if we were on diesel power, I don’t think I could be baking at midnight or early morning. So, now solar has allowed me to do that for a longer term as well.
By powering the outer islands and adding battery storage systems in the main island of Rarotonga to support grid stability, the project is expected to boost business growth across the Cook Islands.
Putting in place a renewable energy program for the outer islands is something that was going to be critical if we wanted to lift the standard of living in the outer islands. And if we wanted to engage these communities which are quite a far distance from the major economic hub in our country, it was important that we did provide them with good, reliable energy at an affordable price that would enable them to be part of our economic development.
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. It assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
MANGAIA, COOK ISLANDS (29 November 2018) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of the Cook Islands led the commissioning of the Mangaia solar power plant today, which will provide improved access to sustainable energy services to the people and businesses of Mangaia.
The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mr. Henry Puna, led the ribbon cutting and the opening of the solar power plant, which will provide clean, reliable energy to about 500 people in the Pacific Islands country.
The solar power plant in Mangaia is the third to come online from the Cook Islands Renewable Energy Sector Project, which has been cofinanced by ADB, the Government of Japan’s Pacific Environment Community Funds, the European Union, the Global Climate Fund, and the Global Environment Facility. A plant in Mitiaro opened in May and a plant in Atiu opened in August. When a plant in Mauke opens, the project will be providing clean and affordable electricity to almost 1,500 people—or about 8% of the Cook Islands’ population.
“Over 500 more people will soon enjoy the benefits of solar-generated power,” said ADB Senior Energy Specialist for the Pacific Ms. Cindy Tiangco at the event. “ADB remains committed to working with our partners to help the Government of the Cook Islands’ renewable energy targets.”
Other benefits of the project include increased electricity output from renewable energy sources and enhanced energy security delivered in an environmentally sustainable manner. The project is assisting the government to develop an energy efficiency policy implementation plan and training will be provided to government staff working with solar battery energy storage systems.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2017, ADB operations totaled $32.2 billion, including $11.9 billion in cofinancing.
MAUKE, COOK ISLANDS (28 June 2019) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of the Cook Islands led the opening of the Mauke solar power plant today, which will provide improved access to sustainable energy services to the people and businesses of Mauke.
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