Ten Off-Grid Tourism Bungalows in Vanuatu to get Solar Freezer Systems
A signing ceremony took place on 13 October at the Energy4All premises in Port Vila between the Government of Vanuatu, represented by the Director General of the Ministry of Climate Change, Mr. Jesse Benjamin and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), represented by Ms Katerina Syngellakis, the GGGI Pacific Regional Representative, for the transfer of 10 Solar Freezers to the Government of Vanuatu. The second part of the ceremony involved signing agreements between the Government, represented by the Director of Energy Department and a senior representative from the Department of Tourism and the first four bungalow owners, who will benefit from this pilot project.
The project aims to improve livelihoods and electricity access, reliability and affordability for small rural tourism operators in selected off-grid sites in Vanuatu through access to refrigeration powered by solar systems that enables diversification of services and improved income streams.
The solar refrigeration for Vanuatu Rural Tourism Operators program responds to Vanuatu’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to increase use of renewables in all sectors and reach 100% renewable electricity production by 2030 and will mobilize finance towards greener economic growth through the rural tourism sector. The project has replication potential both within Vanuatu and around the Pacific and includes private sector engagement (tourism micro-enterprises and solar PV product suppliers).
The Updated National Energy Road Map sets rural tourism bungalow targets of 25% by 2020 and 65% by 2030 under its green growth objectives. The project will contribute towards achievement of the above stated renewable energy targets. It also aligns with one of the key strategies under the Department of Tourism’s Vanuatu Strategic Tourism Action Plan 2014-2018, to support Green Tourism initiatives and practices that contribute towards addressing high energy costs.
Furthermore, this project is in line with the Vanuatu National Sustainable Development Plan (The People’s Plan 2016-2030), development strategy 5, which calls for a stable economy based on equitable, sustainable, growth that creates jobs and income earning opportunities accessible to all people in rural and urban areas.
The funding for this project is provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the NDC partnership program and is administered by GGGI. Energy4All has won the tender to supply the solar freezer systems, with the first installations expected early next week. In addition, training workshops for the tourism operators on basic solar freezer operations and maintenance, and handling of frozen food and hygiene, will be organized towards the end of this month. This pilot project is expected to be completed before end of 2017.
-----------------------
Captions:
Photo 1: Mr. Jesse Benjamin, Director General of Ministry of Climate Change, and Ms Katerina Syngellakis, GGGI Pacific Regional Representative at the signing ceremony.
Photo 2: Mr. Antony Garae, Director of Energy Department, and Mr George Kalsong of Bella Bungalow, one of ten beneficiaries of this Project.
Photo 3: Mr. Jesse Benjamin (second from right), Director General of Ministry of Climate Change, and Ms Katerina Syngellakis (third from left), GGGI Pacific Regional Representative and four of ten rural bungalows representatives at the signing ceremony.
