Nauru and renewable energy
Nauru, the world's smallest island nation, is located in the Micronesian South Pacific and has a population of approximately 12,668 people. Historically reliant on fossil fuel imports, Nauru faced significant challenges in energy supply, with electricity being available for only half of the day for most customers due to management issues and low tariffs. In response, the Nauruan government has aimed to address these challenges through the National Sustainability Development Strategy, which seeks to produce 50% of the country's energy from alternative sources, particularly renewable energy, by 2025.
Solar power has emerged as a major focus for Nauru's renewable energy initiatives, highlighted by the installation of a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system at Nauru College in 2008, which has significantly reduced fuel consumption. Recent developments include a partnership with China under the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance solar power generation and storage.
In addition to renewable energy efforts, Nauru has initiated energy efficiency measures, introducing prepayment meters and a tiered electricity tariff system to encourage conservation and cost recovery. Community awareness campaigns have also been implemented to promote energy-efficient practices. Despite these advancements, further regulatory frameworks and ongoing community engagement are essential for the successful implementation of renewable energy and efficiency initiatives in Nauru.
Subject Terms
Nauru and renewable energy
Official Name: Republic of Nauru.
Summary: Although Nauru has had little experience with renewable energy and energy efficiency in the past, the latest projects undertaken through European Union funding have shown encouraging results.
The Republic of Nauru, formerly known as Pleasant Island, is located in the Micronesian South Pacific, south of the Marshall Islands. Nauru is the smallest independent republic and the world’s smallest island nation, comprising just one island and covering 21 square kilometers. Uniquely for a small developing country, essentially 100 percent of Nauru’s 12,668 people had access to electricity as of 2022, thanks to a circular grid going around the only island.
Improving Power Supply
Nauru was once entirely dependent on fossil fuel imports for its energy needs. Even so, the island was experiencing power supply issues, as electricity services were provided only half of the day for most customers. This situation was largely caused by poor management, inadequate maintenance, low tariffs, and low revenue collection. There was therefore an urgent need to improve the system.
In order to relieve the country from its fuel dependency and improve power supply, the government of Nauru developed the National Sustainability Development Strategy, which aims at providing 50 percent of energy demand by alternative sources of energy, including renewables, by 2025. However, no government agencies are responsible for renewable energy, nor is any regulatory framework in place. The instability of the grid also makes it technically difficult to incorporate renewable energy.
The National Energy Policy Framework (NEPF) was therefore established in 2008 by the Nauru government with help from the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) through its Pacific Islands Energy Policy and Strategic Action Planning project. Its implementation is coordinated by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Resources in order to provide the island with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.
However, the only major renewable resource that may be exploited for the foreseeable future in Nauru is solar power. The European Union’s Support to the Energy Sector in Five ACP (African, Caribbean, and Pacific Island) Countries (REP-5) program therefore funded a 40-kilowatt-peak, grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, installed on the roof of Nauru College in 2008. (The kilowatt-peak is a unit that describes the peak power outputted by a solar module under full solar radiation.) In order to guarantee the permanence of the project, the Nauru Utilities Authority (NUA), as well as local contractors, were involved in the system installation and were trained in its operation and maintenance. Science teachers were also provided with a training kit to teach their students about PV technology. Since its installation in October 2008, the PV system has been generating an average of 4,500 kilowatt-hours per month, corresponding to a fuel saving of 1,325 liters per month.
As of 2024, Nauru continued to develop solar energy facilities. In March of that year, Nauru entered into a partnership with China called the Belt and Road Initiative. According to the agreement, a Chinese engineering company would help Nauru generate and store solar power to reduce its dependency on diesel.
Energy Efficiency Incentives
Because Nauru did not have any incentives for energy efficiency and conservation until the late twentieth century and because electricity tariffs were extremely low, the island’s households had the highest electricity consumption in the Pacific region. The REP-5 project therefore funded the supply and installation of prepayment meters in order to reduce energy consumption and recover generation costs. A gradually increasing electricity tariff was introduced in order to move toward a business model of cost recovery through a mix of a user-pays tariff structure and demand-side management. (Demand-side management, or energy demand management, is the modification of consumer demand for energy through various methods, such as financial incentives and education; usually, the goal of demand-side management is to encourage the consumer to use less energy or to use the energy at times of low demand.)
Additionally, the REP-5 project undertook an energy efficiency campaign in Nauru between 2006 and 2009, focusing on an energy efficiency community awareness program launched in 2009, which was directed at the population in order to reduce fuel use for power generation. In addition to sponsoring weekly radio programs, brochures, school programs, and energy audits, the REP-5 program helped establish an the Energy Efficiency Action Plan (EEAP), implemented in 2009–10.
The combination of the solar PV project and the energy efficiency initiatives has slowly led to the changing behavior of both the general population and government officers. The growing interest in efficient appliances and renewable energy technologies is a sign of the success of those campaigns. However, such awareness campaigns must be ongoing for the message to be truly heard and implemented, as the participation of the community and stakeholders is critical to the success of the program.
Bibliography
"China-Nauru Cooperation in Solar Energy, Port Upgrading Benefits Local Communities." People's Daily, 27 Mar. 2024, en.people.cn/n3/2024/0327/c90000-20150260.html. Accessed 5 Aug. 2024.
Nauru Government. Nauru National Sustainable Development Strategy 2005–2025. www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/Nauru/2a.pdf. Accessed 5 Aug. 2024.