World's First Solar-Powered Nation
Prior to 2012, all of Tokelau’s electricity was generated by diesel generators at a huge expense both financially and environmentally. In 2012, Vector Powersmart completed the installation of what was then one of the larger solar and battery projects in the world, making Tokelau the world’s first solar-powered territory.
On 6 November 2012, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully welcomed the completion of a third New Zealand-funded solar power system in Tokelau – meaning almost 100 per cent of the territory’s electricity needs are met through solar generation.
“The Tokelau Renewable Energy Project is a world first. Tokelau’s three main atolls now have enough solar capacity, on average, to meet electricity needs,” Mr McCully says.
The $8.5 million solar power project involved constructing solar-based mini grids on three atolls.
“Until now, Tokelau has been 100 per cent dependent upon diesel for electricity generation, with heavy economic and environmental costs,” Mr McCully says.
“New Zealand is very pleased to be able to support Tokelau in reaching its renewable energy goals through an advance of $7
million in New Zealand’s aid allocation to the territory.
“Completed on time and on budget, the project is an excellent example of how small Pacific nations can lead the way on renewable energy development.
The first system on Fakaofo atoll was switched on in early August 2012 after a nine-week construction period. The system on Nukunonu atoll was connected in mid-September, and the third and final system on Atafu atoll was commissioned on the 29th of October 2012.
In March 2020, RNZ reported Tokelau's existing solar system was eight years old and in need of upgrading because of increasing demand for electricity and wear and tear from the harsh marine environment, it said.
Vector PowerSmart chief operating officer Colin Daly said the project would mean the people of Tokelau would enjoy "clean, reliable and renewable energy" for years to come.
Additional 210 kilowatt solar arrays would be installed on Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu, along with two megawatt hour lithium ion battery storage systems.
The new batteries will take up less space and provide twice the output, making the existing lead acid batteries redundant which will eventually be recycled off island.
Robin Pene, general manager of Tokelau's Department of Energy, which is contributing $NZ3m, said the new system would help to "decrease emissions from the transporting and burning of diesel for electricity generation", in line with its national strategy for responding to climate change.
Upgrading the three power stations is touted as bringing almost 100 percent renewable energy to Tokelau's 1,400 inhabitants.
Photo: Powersmart Solar working with Tokelau community so it could become the world's first national to be100 per cent solar powered energy.
Vaka (2019)
VAKA is a short documentary about the energy and resilience of the Tokelauan people as they weave their customary-wisdom regarding the environment with modern eco-technologies to respond to climate change. Tokelau was the first nation to aim for 100% of its electricity to be generated from solar as a result of the New Zealand funded Tokelau Renewable Energy Project in 2012. The doco was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The world’s first truly renewable energy nation
Solar power plants and coconut biofuel-powered generators switched on in Tokelau has made the islands the world’s first truly renewable nation.’
The renewable energy system comprising of solar panels, storage batteries and generators running on biofuel derived from coconut will generate enough electricity to meet 150% of the islands’ power demand.
These systems are part of the Tokelau Renewable Energy Project that has been funded by the New Zealand government and represents one of the largest off-grid renewable energy projects in the world.
With this project, the islands will make the transition from being completely dependent on imported fuels to being completely energy independent.
The environmental and social perspective, the overall impact is very positive.
The atolls have an abundance of unused coconuts since copra production was discontinued around 30 years ago.
There are no negative impacts of the project, but several advantages including a reduction in waste oil production and disposal issues. The presence of large lead acid battery banks do pose a potential environmental concern, however adequate training and planned recycling mechanisms will ensure that this risk is mitigated.
Tokelau was challenged and many times encountered difficult decisions to be made in the process. But joyous celebration to mark the launching will hope that many other nations will follow and be motivated to bringing on the new solar energy generation.
Tokelau spends about $829,000 every year to import fuels. The government of Tokelau now plans to spend these savings on other essential services like health and education. The savings will also be used to repay the grants and financial assistance the government received from New Zealand government for this project.
Source: Government of Tokelau
Tokelau - the World's First Solar Sufficient Nation
Article by Darren Garrun for PowerTechnology.com
12 February 2013
Tokelau, an island nation in the South Pacific, is now completely able to support itself with solar energy. Elly Earls met Joseph Mayhew of the New Zealand Aid Programme to find out how this tiny collection of atolls has become almost 100% self-sufficient in less than 12 months.
As the global powers were dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on a new climate change deal, the Doha climate gateway, which requires cuts in greenhouse gas emissions from both developed and developing countries to be signed in 2015 and come into force from 2020, a tiny island nation midway between New Zealand and Hawaii was quietly putting them all in the shade.
By the time the final climate deal was agreed upon by the members of the UN, Tokelau, a remote collection of Pacific atolls, had already installed three solar energy systems that have almost entirely eliminated its reliance on fossil fuels.
Tokelau is made up of three small atolls, Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo, has an area of around 10km² and is populated by 1,411 New Zealand citizens, all of whom now have their energy needs met by solar electricity systems.
"Each system alone is among the largest off-grid solar power systems in the world."
Work started in mid-June 2012 on the one megawatt Tokelau Renewable Energy Project, which is comprised of three individual solar power systems with battery storage. Each system alone is among the largest off-grid solar power systems in the world, and together they are capable of providing 150% of current electricity demand in Tokelau, a much higher amount than the 90% that was originally planned for.
Funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme and realised by PowerSmart and energy consulting firm IT Power Australia, the project involved the installation of 4,032 photovoltaic panels, 392 inverters and 1,344 batteries across the three atolls, and was completed on time and under budget.
"At the end of October 2012, New Zealand company PowerSmart had completed work on all three atolls," confirmed the New Zealand Aid Programme’s development manager Joseph Mayhew. "The people of Tokelau now enjoy solar energy for almost 100% of their electricity needs."
But it hasn’t been an easy task. Tokelau is an extremely remote nation – the closest atoll is around 500km north of Samoa, there are no airstrips or wharves and the only access is a long boat trip from Samoa that ends outside the reefs, where a landing barge can deliver passengers and equipment to shore.
The advanced renewable technologies used throughout the project must therefore be designed to last, as well as to survive the tough environmental conditions in the middle of the Pacific.
"Switching to solar was absolutely crucial for the tiny collection of islands."
"Renewable energy projects in the Pacific bring unique challenges," Mayhew emphasised. "Systems and components must be designed to withstand harsh tropical and marine environments, strong winds, high temperatures and a corrosive salt-laden atmosphere. In New Zealand, if a part breaks or needs replacing, it is possible to replace easily but in a remote region like Tokelau, the systems and components must be designed to promote robustness and longevity, because transport is infrequent and challenging."
And this is largely why PowerSmart, which specialises in complex utility scale projects in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific, was chosen as the principle contractor. "They had experience in designing solar power systems for harsh and remote environments and have taken care to design a robust system suitable for the Pacific, which could withstand high temperatures, salt-laden air and the risk of cyclones and flooding," Mayhew noted.
Yet despite the challenges involved in installing comprehensive solar systems in such a remote location, switching to solar was absolutely crucial for the tiny collection of islands. "Tokelau’s atolls are low-lying and especially susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change," Mayhew stressed. "So, reducing dependence on diesel and eliminating carbon emissions has been paramount for Tokelau, both in terms of economic sense and the environment."
Before the PowerSmart systems were installed on the nation’s three atolls, Tokelau was highly dependent on imported fossil fuels to meet its energy needs and therefore vulnerable to international price fluctuations and increasing fuel costs, making electricity extremely expensive for both households and businesses.
Indeed, until recently, diesel generators were burning around 200 litres of fuel daily on each atoll, meaning more than 2,000 barrels of diesel were used to generate electricity in Tokelau each year, costing more than $1m NZD. Moreover, dependence on fossil fuels had huge environmental costs for the nation, and unloading 2,000 barrels of diesel a year was a risky business.
This issue is by no means restricted to Tokelau, with the majority of Pacific island nations highly dependent on imported fossil fuels to meet their energy needs. "Almost every aspect of Pacific economies is underpinned by imported fossil fuels," said Mayhew. "And in many cases the cost of importing fuel is many times higher than all export earning combined."
"The project involved the installation of 4,032 photovoltaic panels, 392 inverters and 1,344 batteries."
More and more other islands are therefore quickly following Tokelau’s example. "Most of the Pacific is now prioritising developing renewable sources of energy as a sustainable long-term solution to energy needs," Mayhew stressed. "The New Zealand government, for example, has put an emphasis on renewable energy in the Pacific under the New Zealand Aid Programme."
As part of this focus, the body will co-host the Pacific Energy Summit in March in the hope of building on the success of projects like the Tokelau Renewable Energy Project and Maama Mai solar farm in Tonga, which was also funded by the programme and reduces the country’s use of diesel by approximately 470,000 litres and decreases carbon emissions by more than 2,000 tonnes per year.
PowerSmart is similarly committed to expanding the use of solar energy in the Pacific. For example, the company is a current panel member and installer for the Australian Capital Territory Solar Power Schools Programme, which aims to install solar power systems in all primary and secondary schools in the territory; the Mount Maunganui-based firm has already completed 31 system installations out of 80.
And if the success of Tokelau’s innovative solar energy project is anything to go by, further progress will be quicker than one would expect. "The feedback has been very positive and the people of Tokelau have indicated they are proud of what’s been achieved," Mayhew concluded. "Tokelau, while unique in its size and remoteness, has shown what can be achieved by a small country with limited resources."
Supporters of the Atafu Tokelau Community Group
