Tonga's largest solar power park ready to go online

Tonga’s first and largest grid-connected solar park is ready to go online this July.

The solar power plant at the Popua Power Station, south-east of the island capital of Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu will have a total capacity of 1.3MW and will be supplied with Conergy Australia’s mounting systems.

The Government of Tonga is placing emphasis on renewable energy sources and has set ambitious targets with its "Energy Roadmap 2010-20". By the end of 2012, this island state in the South Pacific intends to extract half of its power from renewable sources.

"The Popua solar energy plant is supplying as much as 4% of Tongatapu's energy requirements", says Conergy Australia managing director Rodger Meads. "That also means that the island nation saves the cost of 470,000 litres of expensive diesel fuel and avoids emitting 2,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. The benefits of the project are, therefore, twofold: it spares the environment and has a positive effect on energy costs. That is why we are pleased to be able to contribute to this unique project."

An investment of US$6.6 million from the coffers of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Programme has been allocated for the project.

The power plant's project developer is Meridian Energy from New Zealand. The solar company Reid Technology, also from New Zealand, is responsible for the implementation.

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