Inauguration of solar plant to power homes and businesses across Palau

An AIFFP-funded solar power plant and battery storage facility has been officially inaugurated in Palau. The plant, comprised of 15.28 MWp of solar power generation and a 12.9MW battery storage facility, is at Ngatpang on Babeldaob, Palau.

Australia’s Ambassador to Palau, Richelle Turner, attended the plant inauguration alongside His Excellency Surangel Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau and representatives from the Palauan Senate and project partners the Palau Public Utilities Corporation and Solar Pacific Pristine Power on 2 June 2023.

Construction of Palau’s first utility-scale solar and battery energy storage facility was supported by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific through a AUD31.4 million financing package to Solar Pacific Pristine Power, a privately owned company. Solar Pacific Pristine Power is a special purpose vehicle incorporated in Palau by Solar Pacific Energy Corporation. Solar Pacific Energy Corporation is a renewable energy developer based in the Philippines and part of the Alternergy group.

The project demonstrates how Australian financing can leverage and encourage private sector investment to deliver critical, climate resilient infrastructure in the Pacific.

The new facilities mark an important step towards greater renewable energy production in Palau, which has historically been dependent on fossil fuels. The solar facility and battery storage system will provide approximately 20 per cent of Palau’s power needs, delivering up to 23,000 megawatt hours per year to the grid network, reducing Palau’s reliance on expensive diesel generators. 

Australia supports a strong and unified Pacific and is proud to play a role in Palau’s transition to renewable, more affordable energy.

Image: Pictured at the inauguration is Frank Kyota, Chief Executive Officer of Palau Public Utilities Corporation; Regan Belechel, Chairman of Palau Public Utilities Corporation; His Excellency Surangel Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau; the Hon. Kerai Mariur, Vice President of the Palauan Senate; Vince Perez, Chairman of Solar Pacific Energy Corporation and Alternergy; Mike Lichtenfeld, Chief Executive Officer of Solar Pacific Pristine Power; and Richelle Turner, Australia’s Ambassador to Palau.