19 January 2012: The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has announced that US$4 million from the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) has been approved to install a solar power generation system and sea water desalination plant in Nauru.

According to PIFS, the project is anticipated to save Nauru 60 tonnes of diesel per year, and to provide for 1.3% of the current energy demand of the country. The Government of Nauru is aiming for 50% of its energy supply to be met by renewable energy sources by 2015. PIFS says the project will also provide significant additional freshwater to Nauru households, which are heavily reliant on desalinated water for potable water. As a result of the project, the delivery frequency of water to households is expected to increase from every four weeks, to every three weeks.

The PEC Fund is a commitment by the Government of Japan of ¥6.8 billion (approximately US$66 million) to support PIF Country projects focusing on the provision of solar power generation systems and sea water desalination plants. To date, Samoa, Tuvalu, Cook Islands and Nauru have accessed the fund for renewable energy projects. [PIFS Press Release]