17 January 2012: The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) has signed an agreement with Tonga’s Minister of Lands, Survey, Natural Resources, Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lord Ma’afu, to provide funds to enable the Tonga Energy Roadmap (TERM) to be developed according to plan.

Martin Hiller, Director-General, REEEP, said TERM could become a blueprint for other Pacific Island States grappling with similar challenges. The TERM is a ten-year plan aimed at decreasing Tonga’s dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels, improving energy efficiency, and providing a significant share of the country’s energy needs from renewable sources. REEEP funding will assist in the rollout of the TERM, enabling the drafting of the legislative framework and making specific recommendations on how institutions should be structured or adapted to realize the plan. [REEEP Press Release]