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March 24, 2017 (Funafuti, Tuvalu) – Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC) General Manager, Mafalu Lotolua, is a man on a mission to show the world that although Tuvalu’s emissions are negligible while the rising tides threaten to take their homes, Tuvalu is leading by example.  The island nation is playing their part to further reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy efficiency technologies through their Energy Efficiency Demonstration Fale project.

The “Energy Efficiency Demonstration “Fale” project has been made possible through the Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Programme (PIGGAREP Plus) project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi Country Office in Samoa, and executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

This Demonstration Fale, maintained by the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC) showcases methods that utilise renewable energy in a traditional Tuvaluan housing structure known as a ‘fale’.  Located on the northwestern part of the TEC property in Funafuti, calculations show a cumulative energy savings of 10%.

The Demo fale is an open plan design with RE and EE technologies, easily visible when you arrive in Tuvalu, to showcase the benefits with the local community.

PIGGAREP Plus is an extension of the PIGGAREP Regional project of USD 5 million that was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project. It is funded from the SIDS DOCK Support Programme, which is a joint initiative of the UNDP and the World Bank (WB), and in close consultation with the Alliance of the Small Island States (AOSIS) and funded by the Government of Denmark.

This initiative aims to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to transition to low carbon economies through development and deployment of renewable energy (RE) resources and promotion of greater energy efficiency (EE). The specific objective of this intervention is to facilitate the application of sustainable renewable energy (RE)-based power generation technologies in houses in Tuvalu.

The use of RE technologies (RET) in houses is also supplemented in two ways with energy efficiency: (1) the application of energy efficiency technologies, in the form of energy efficient household appliances; and (2) the energy efficient design and operation of the RET systems that is installed in the Demo Fale.

Tuvalu TEC aims to increase awareness and motivation in the application of energy efficient technologies and energy savings in the residential sector.

Tuvalu is without a doubt one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to sea level rise and other effects of climate change. It is comprised of three reef islands and six atolls, with a population of 10,837.

Although Pacific island countries have very minimal contribution to the increase in GHG’s, they are very committed to joining the global efforts in ensuring the reduction of GHG emissions.

Tuvalu’s 10-year Master Plan sets a target to increase EE to 30% by 2025. Their recently approved Energy Efficiency ACT, Tuvalu will restrict the importation (5) non-efficient appliances- lightings, refrigerators, freezers, air-conditioning unit and washing machines.

At the inauguration ceremony of the Demonstration Fale, Honourable Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Prime Minister and Minister of Public Utilities and Infrastructure, emphasised the importance of Action. “Tuvalu is truly grateful to all the donors for the support to ensure Tuvalu achieves its Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency goals, both nationally and globally”.

The SPREP Director of Climate Change, Dr. Netatua Pelesikoti, delivered the keynote speech on behalf of SPREP and UNDP Multi-Country Office Samoa. “Both PIGGAREP and PIGGAREP Plus have not only build Tuvalu’s capacity on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency but have leveraged additional resources and support for Tuvalu such as the European Union and World Bank that see Renewable Energy reaching the outer Islands and that for schools and health centres”.

UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office, commended the PM and Government of Tuvalu for its efforts in decreasing Greenhouse Gas Emissions as well as its contribution to supporting the Sustainable Development Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

The Hon. Enele Sosene Sopoaga and Dr. Netatua Pelesikoti had the honor of cutting the ribbon to the newly established EE Demo Fale. This was followed by a tour of the Fale by all the Government Officials, SPREP and UNDP.

 

For more information please contact:

Mafalu Lotolua, General Manager-TEC, Tel: (688) 20352; email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Dr.Netatua Pelesikoti, Director of CC-SPREP, Tel: (685) 21929 Ext 209; email:[email protected]

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Get in contact: www.sprep.org

Tessa Tafua, UNDP MCO Samoa Programme Officer, Tel: (685) 23670 Ext 21; email:[email protected]

Tuvalu