The Australian Government has today announced seven new business partnerships to support small-scale, off-grid renewable energy in remote and rural areas across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships are part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) initiative to expand the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific’s (AIFFP) climate investments. It does this by partnering with businesses to deliver reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, implemented by the BPP.
Today’s announcement brings the total investment to AUD4.3 million in 10 Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships, across six countries. This includes AUD2.8 million by the Australian Government, with the remaining investment by partners through cash or in-kind contributions.
The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships include:
Piloting a sustainable solar energy model for Fiji’s remote school communities
Partnership between Its Time Foundation and the Australian Government to future-proof solar energy systems through effective maintenance, enabling schools in remote Fiji communities to benefit from reliable and renewable energy. This partnership launched in May 2024.
Empowering local women and enabling greater access to clean energy and water in Kiribati
Partnership between Action on Poverty, Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific and the Australian Government to empower local women and enable greater access to electricity and water on Aranuka, one of Kiribati’s remote outer islands.
Accelerating access to renewable energy and jobs for remote Papua New Guinea communities
Partnership between Sola PayGo, MiBank and the Australian Government to enable greater access to renewable energy and job opportunities for Papua New Guinea’s most remote communities, increasing take up of solar energy while also enabling local community members, particularly women, to gain employment to promote renewable energy solutions and maintain local services through technical support. This partnership launched in February 2024.
Lighting the way for Kokoda College’s sustainable future in Papua New Guinea
Partnership between Kokoda Track Foundation, Kokoda College and the Australian Government to transform Kokoda College’s students’ outcomes through greater access to reliable and sustainable off-grid energy.
Securing access to renewable energy on Solomon Islands’ Savo Island
Partnership between Archipelago Energy and the Australian Government to support the Savo Island community gain access to renewable solar energy while powering the economic development of the island.
Powering Solomon Islands’ Vavanga community with affordable renewable energy
Partnership between Pelena and the Australian Government to power up the Vavanga community with a micro-hydro system enabling every household to gain access to affordable, reliable energy, while creating new opportunities for the community’s economic development.
Energising Solomon Islands’ Malaita community with affordable solar power
Partnership between Superfly, Save the Children Solomon Islands, Mai-Ma’asina Green Belt and the Australian Government to trial an adaptable, scalable and economically-viable model for addressing the challenges of reliable energy in rural Solomon Island communities.
Generating energy security for essential healthcare in Solomon Islands
Partnership between Superfly Limited, the Good Samaritan Hospital and the Australian Government to build a more resilient healthcare system in Tetere through greater energy security. This partnership launched in February 2024.
Catalysing coffee through renewable energy for off-grid communities in Timor-Leste
Partnership between Engineers Without Borders Australia, Raw Material, Mara Mresa and the Australian Government to establish renewable-energy powered coffee hubs, empowering off-grid communities in Timor Leste by providing access to energy and improving coffee production for global specialty markets.
Strengthening women's control and access to clean and affordable energy in Vanuatu
Partnership between ActionAid Australia, Women TokTok Tugeta (WITT) Network, PowerWells and the Australian Government to empower women in Vanuatu to control and access renewable, reliable and sustainable energy for the benefit of themselves and their communities.
More partnerships will be announced in July 2024.
These partnerships were selected through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) Call for Partnerships to Support Off-Grid Renewable Energy in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
Women in women in Aranuka, Kiribati will be empowered with greater access to clean energy and water
Archipelago Energy and the Australian Government are supporting the Savo Island community gain access to renewable solar energy
Kokoda Track Foundation, Kokoda College and the Australian Government are transforming students' outcomes with reliable, sustainable off-grid energy
Its Time Foundation and the Australian Government are future-proofing solar energy systems, benefiting remote Fiji schools with reliable, renewable energy