Tonga lagom energy

How will Tonga move away from fossil fuels?

This project aims to help Tonga move away from fossil fuels and shift to renewables. The project will deliver utility-scale storage systems to provide base load response and grid stability, paving the way for more renewable energy integration in the main island, while green mini-grids will be installed in the outer islands.

How will Tonga's New Energy Park work?

The project will be delivered in two phases — the first will begin later this year and will be a two-megawatt park, which will generate enough power for close to 3,000 homes. Once the entire 10-megawatt project is complete, it is expected to provide half of Tonga's energy and cut emissions by 20 per cent.

How is energy collected in Tonga?

"There's a host of different ways to collect the energy, but the one in Tonga will be a point source absorber and it will sit in the water and move up and down as the wave passes over the top," he said. "Inside it is a generator that will spin and create electricity."

How much energy does Tonga generate?

It accounts for 90 percent of its electricity generation. The Government of Tonga has formulated targets to transform its energy sector by achieving a 50 percent share of renewables in the country’s energy generation mix by 2020 and 70 percent by 2030.

What's new in Tonga?

The Kingdom of Tonga has now come up with a bold new plan. In March, it signed a memorandum of understanding with an Irish-based wave energy company called Seabased to develop a 10-megawatt wave power park off the main island of Tongatapu. Albert Vaea (far right) says he wants renewables to bring "meaningful relief" to vulnerable Tongans.

Could Tonga pioneer wave power technology in the Pacific?

Tonga could pioneer the use of wave power technology in the Pacific. (Supplied: SPTO) Power prices are affecting communities around the world and in the small island nation of Tonga — home to just over 100,000 people — they are feeling the pinch. "I think it's way too high.