RS: Pacific Energy Transition Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward

Regional Session

Pacific Energy Transition Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward

Organized by: Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Thursday, 6 June 2024

2:00 - 5:30 p.m. (GMT +8) | Auditorium Hall 4

The Pacific small island development sates (SIDS) were the first mover among ADB’s DMC that committed 100% renewable energy penetration into the generation mix in nationally determined contribution and/or its own medium- and long-term energy policy. In 2012, Ministers of SIDS agreed to adopt Barbados Declaration which included target for 100% power generation from renewable energy sources. Niue and Tuvalu set 100% renewable energy capacity target by 2020, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu by 2030. But no country met such ambitious target by 2020 and to achieve the 2030 target is also a significant challenge.

Grid constraints to manage renewable penetration into is increasingly reported in the Pacific SIDS. Comprehensive actions to address grid constraints are being required, including (i) enhancing grid absorption capacity using advanced weather forecasting, smart-grid and battery storage, (ii) strengthening rule and regulation in grid operation, (iii) building capacity of regulators and grid operators, (iv) effectively utilizing demand side energy management (DSEM) for peal shaving and dispatchable load demand (such as EVs) as peak shifting and/or operating reserve capacity.

AGENDA

2:00 - 2:10 p.m.

Opening Remarks

Scott Morris, Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific) , ADB

2:10 - 2:15 p.m.

Welcome Remarks

Leah Gutierrez, Director General, Pacific Department, ADB

2:15 - 2:25 p.m.

Sharing Experience and Lessons Learnt from Solomon Islands for Energy Transition

Joshua Norman Tuasulia, Chief Financial Officer, Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, Solomon Islands

2:25 - 2:35 p.m.

Sharing Experience and Lessons Learnt from Fiji for Energy Transition

Fatiaki Gibson, Board Director, Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), Fiji

2:35 - 2:45 p.m.

Sharing Experience and Lessons Learnt from Tonga for Energy Transition

Finau Moa, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Tonga Power Limited, Tonga

2:45 - 3:35 p.m.

First Panel Discussion on Pacific Energy Transition Challenges and Lessons Learnt with the following panel members:

Tierata Marewenuea, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy, Kiribati

Silaati Filiake Timo, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Energy, Communication and Innovation, Tuvalu

Joshua Norman Tuasulia, Chief Financial Officer, Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, Solomon Islands

Kembo Mida, Chief Executive Officer, Chuuk Public Utility Corporation, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Gordon Chang, Executive Director, Pacific Power Association (PPA)

Moderator:

Peter Baum, Senior Energy Specialist, Energy Sector Office, Sectors Group (SG-ENE), ADB

3:35 - 4:05 p.m.

Break

4:05 - 4:20 p.m.

Q&A

4:20 - 4:30 p.m.

How to Manage Renewable Energy Integration (Experience from Hawaii)

Marc Matsuura, Senior Smart Grid Program Manager, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI)

4:30 - 5:20 p.m.

Second Panel Discussion on Pacific Energy Transition Opportunities and Way Forward, with the following panel members:

Panelists:

Fatiaki Gibson, Board Director, Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), Fiji

Adeang Sinderina, Administration Manager, Nauru Utilities Corporation (NUC)

Andrew Kautoke, Strategic and Business Development Manager, Tonga Power Limited, Tonga

Mike Lichtenfeld, Chief Executive Officer, Solar Pacific Energy Corporation, Philippines

Haroun Ahmed Khawaja, Regional Head, Private Sector Development, Pacific Department, ADB

Moderator:

Architrandi Priambodo, Senior Energy Specialist, SG-ENE, ADB

5:20 - 5:30 p.m.

House Keeping Matters

SPEAKERS

Scott Morris

Vice-President (East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific), ADB

Leah Gutierrez

Director General, Pacific Department, ADB

Finau Moa

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Tonga Power Limited, Tonga

Marewenuea Tierata

Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy, Kiribati

Peter Baum

Senior Energy Specialist, Energy Sector Office, Sectors Group (SG-ENE), ADB

Adeang Sinderina

Administration Manager, Nauru Utilities Corporation (NUC)

Silaati Filiake Timo

Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Energy, Communication and Innovation, Tuvalu

Kembo Mida

Chief Executive Officer, Chuuk Public Utility Corporation, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Gordon Chang

Executive Director, Pacific Power Association (PPA)

Marc Matsuura

Senior Smart Grid Program Manager, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI)

Andrew Kautoke

Strategic and Business Development Manager, Tonga Power Limited, Tonga

Fatiaki Gibson

Board Director, Energy Fiji Limited (EFL), Fiji

Andrew Kautoke

Strategic and Business Development Manager, Tonga Power Limited, Tonga

Architrandi Priambodo

Senior Energy Specialist, SG-ENE, ADB

Mike Lichtenfeld

Chief Executive Officer, Solar Pacific Energy Corporation, Philippines

Haroun Ahmed Khawaja

Regional Head, Private Sector Development, Pacific Department, ADB

Joshua Norman Tuasulia

Chief Financial Officer, Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, Solomon Islands

Regional Session

Pacific Energy Transition Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward

AGENDA

SPEAKERS

PRESENTATIONS