The Prime Minister of Tonga today announced the official launch of the 6MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of the Tongatapu Solar Farm in Fualu, Tongatapu, which has powered over 10,336 homes since August this year. It is reportedly the largest solar power project in the South Pacific, replacing 18% of current diesel-powered electricity with solar power on Tongatapu Island.

This solar project was completed as part of the partnership between Sunergise New Zealand Limited and Tonga Power Limited with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Sunergise managed the construction, meanwhile bringing together local Tongan civil, mechanical and electrical subcontractors with the team. Led by Clay Energy, Sunergise’s engineering subsidiary, local workers contributed to the project and also gained extensive experience in developing large-scale solar projects.

Statistics show that, as of 2020 almost all electricity in Tonga came from fossil fuels. An island nation covering just 290 square miles, Tongan’s power generation relies heavily on imported fossil fuels. Renewable energies such as solar power are an important means for Tonga to expand access to energy, stabilize power grids and reduce pollution.

Given the lack of solar expertise and finance in countries like Togan, the role of independent power producers and the practice of PPAs provide solid support to pave the way for solar deployment.

As Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga, said at the ceremony: “The successful completion of Sunergise’s 6 MW solar power generation system today demonstrates the important role that independent renewable power producers play in achieving our 70 percent target [the] end of [the] year 2025.”

Sunergise is now a Todd Corporation company. It is a solar project developer and operator with a long history in the Pacific and has delivered over 20MW of solar capacity in New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and other South Pacific countries.