5 October 2012: The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has announced that Niue will have access to US$4 million in funding from the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) for a national solar power initiative.

According to PIFS, the project, which is titled “Design, Manufacture & Installation of Solar Power Grid Connected Generators & Battery Backed Power Stabilizer,” anticipates annual savings of NZ$137,000, as well as an annual reduction of 329 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. The project is expected to result in 15.4% of Niue’s total electricity supply being supplied from solar power, an increase on the current 10%.

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 seawater desalination plants. To date, in addition to Kiribati, Cook Islands, FSM, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu and have accessed the Fund for renewable energy projects. [PIFS Press Release]