The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has partnered with the Solomon Islands and Tonga to support their energy transitions, with solar power playing a central role.
Agreements were finalised during COP29 in Azerbaijan, focusing on renewable energy projects in both nations.
For the Solomon Islands, ADB has allocated a $15m package, comprising a $10m concessional loan and a $5m grant.
The funds will support the Solomon Islands Renewable Energy Development project, which includes 2.5MW of solar PV power plants in Guadalcanal and Malaita provinces.
It will also support the development of the country’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS).
The initiative also aims to attract private sector investment in renewable energy.
In Tonga, ADB will provide $4.6m in grants for the Tonga Grid Enhancement for Sustainable Energy Transition project.
This effort will help meet Tonga’s goal of 70% renewable energy by constructing a new 33kV electricity network for solar power transmission and upgrading parts of the existing grid.
Scott Morris, ADB’s vice president for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said these projects will “significantly reduce the Solomon Islands and Tonga’s reliance on fossil fuels” while improving disaster resilience.
He added, “These transformational energy projects demonstrate ADB’s steadfast commitment to improving energy security, affordability, access, and sustainability across the Pacific.”
COP29
These efforts are part of broader energy transition initiatives confirmed at COP29.
Australia also announced an $80m investment package to support renewable energy in the Pacific, focusing on off-grid and community-scale solar projects through programs like REnew Pacific and the Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition.
COP29 concluded with a $300bn finance deal for climate action in developing nations, a significant increase from previous pledges but below the $1.3tn demanded.
