Category: Country, Island

Tasmania, Australia

Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia

  • Target: 100% renewable energy by 2020.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Hydropower, windpower, rooftop solar photovoltaics.
  • Implementation: In 2013, the Tasmanian Government launched a climate action plan the "Climate Smart Tasmania: A 2020 Climate Change Strategy" which outlined the 100% target for the reduction of carbon emissions and help communities adapt to climate change. Based on research and consultation, the plan focused on energy efficiency in existing buildings, monitoring emissions and biodiversity, efficient water use, reducing barriers to utilising renewable energies, training Tasmania’s workforce, electrifying public transport as well as managing and reducing natural hazard risks in the state. By 2014, Tasmania already achieved 93% due to its large hydropower resources. The state did come close to reaching the 100% with wind energy alongside 70MW rooftop solar power. However systems were affected by an energy crisis in December 2015. Between September 2015 and April 2016, the state suffered record low rainfalls, affecting hydropower generation. In December, Tasmania had to return to the production from fossil fuels when the Basslink interconnector with the Australian mainland also failed. However, in May 2016, Tasmania announced that the island was fully powered by renewable energies. Diesel generators and the gas turbine were switched off as heavy rains eased the energy situation. The Energy Supply Plan was subsequently updated to ensure flexible energy generation by prioritising renewable energy sources, with gas and diesel maintained only as a backup system.
  • Population: 526,700 (2018)
  • Area: 68,401 km² (26,410 sq mi)
  • Link: https://reneweconomy.com.au/tasmania-labor-pitches-120-renewables-target-rooftop-solar-boost-34727/
Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia

Tokelau

Fakaofo, Tokelau

  • Target: 100% renewable energy
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: 1MW off-grid solar energy system across three main atolls of Tokelau. The project includes : 4032 solar modules, 196 string inverters, 112 DC charge controllers, 84 battery inverters and 1344 batteries in 48V banks. The system allows for up to 2 days of energy without any solar input.
  • Implementation: Tokelau consists of three small coral atolls located about 500 km north of Samoa. It is a small island nation with limited land resources, fairly isolated, with only one form of transportation available and a very mobile population. Like many Pacific Island countries, it is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, especially diesel. The target was put in place in response to growing affects of climate change, and for its government to replace the use of fossil fuels with solar and bio-fuel to generate power on the island. An off -grid solar energy system is currently in operation, and was design and constructed, in collaboration with the local Tokelau community, by private companies and development organisations.
  • Population: 1,499 (2016)
  • Area: 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi)
  • Link: The world's first truly renewable energy nation
Fakaofo, Tokelau

 

Tuvalu

Tuvalu

  • Target: Achieve 100% renewable electricity and increase energy efficiency by 30%, by 2020
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar photovoltaics, and biogas from pig manure.
  • Implementation: In 2009, the government of Tuvalu adopted the National Energy Policy (NEP) setting out its 100% target. The National Energy Policy includes a mechanism which is analogous to a Renewable Portfolio Standard, which relies on most projects being funded by external development assistance, on a bilateral basis with the Tuvalu Electric Company. Action began with a 40 kw rooftop solar system that supplies 5% of the capital city of Funafuti's power. The plant was donated by e8, a non-profit organisation comprising 10 electricity companies from the G8 countries. Next was the installation of 46 kilowatt solar power system on a local secondary school for an estimated cost of US$800,000. The island also makes use of biogas from pig manure. With the support of ADEME and UNDP, a training program for biogas installation was put into effect. It is estimated that US$20 million is needed overall to reach the country's target. In 2013, the government signed on the Majuro Declaration by the Pacific Islands Federation, reaffirming its commitment and providing further details into its strategy. Tuvalu established the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Unit within the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC) in partnership with the New Zealand Aid Programme. The Unit  helps Tuvalu to develop its development strategy further. In January 2014, the World Bank approved a US$7 million grant from its International Development Association for the Tuvalu Energy Sector Development Project (ESDP) to support Tuvalu’s goals. The project includes a Gender Scoping Study, and a Gender Action Plan and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework which aims to ensure equal input into the project's design and implementation as well as equal share into the benefits of renewable energy, by both men and women. In April 2015, Solarcity and Infratec Renewables installed a 170kW of solar photovoltaic system on two Government owned buildings in Funafuti. This US$780k project is expected deliver 5% of the island's energy demand.
  • Population: 11,192 (2017)
  • Area: 26 km2 (10 sq mi)
  • Link: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2015/01/26/tuvalu-efficient-renewable-energy
Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Vanuatu

  • Target: Transition to renewable energy balanced with energy efficiency to stimulate green growth.
  • Status: In progress
  • RES: Solar energy, hydropower and geothermal, coconut oil for biofuel.
  • Implementation: Vanuatu is a nation of the South Pacific Ocean comprising around 80 islands. Located on the border of the Indian-Australian and the Pacific Plate, many islands are of volcanic origin and surrounded by coral reefs. Its economy is based on small-scale agriculture, tourism and fishery. Despite deforestation, the islands are covered with jungle and agricultural land (51,9%).  About 20% of urban dwellers and 83% of rural residents lack access to electricity. The country is vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate change risks such as seas level rise. In response, Vanuatu created the Ministry of Climate Change in 2013, and launched "National Energy Road Map (NERM) for 2013 to 2020" by following examples of similar countries, with technical assistance of the World Bank. The road map was updated to "NERM 2016 to 2030" after Vanuatu was hit by Hurricane Pam in 2015. The new map would detail the central role of renewable energy balanced with energy efficiency and introduces the economic opportunities for green growth. The map formulates five key priorities of the energy sector: access through grid extension and micro-grids, petroleum supply for transport, affordability, energy security and climate change mitigation. Implementation would be achieved through governmental leadership, empowered and accountable energy institutions and a sector-wide approach following the principle “Many Partners, One Team, One Plan”.  A Green Energy fund would foster energy projects by the national private sector. Several international investors would also be involved. The energy plan has since led to projects in geothermal, hydropower and solar energy being deployed by Australia, Austria, Italy and the European Union. One notable example is the wind park at Devil’s Point which covers around 7% of the capital island’s energy demand.
  • Population: 270,402 (2016)
  • Area: 12,189 km2(4,706 sq mi)
  • Link: Updated Vanuatu National Energy Roadmap
Vanuatu

Yakushima, Japan

Yakushima, Japan

  • Target: Become a carbon free island by achieving a 100% renewable energy target.
  • Status: Achieved
  • RES: Hydropower, windpower, electric vehicle (EV) system.
  • Implementation: Yakushima is the fifth biggest island in Japan, located South of Japan's main island, and part of Kagoshima Prefecture. The island’s main economic activity is the production of SiCO3. The total electricity consumption of 7500 million kWh per year is completely covered by renewables. Because of its unique scenery and specific ecosystem, most of the Island is part of the Kirishima-Yaku National Park and World Heritage Site. In 2009, the municipality committed to a “Carbon Free Island Yakushima” initiative and a 100% RE target. To achieve this, the plan was to expand hydropower, wind power systems, and install an electrical vehicle (EV) system. Since the power grid of the island is owned by Yakushima municipality, rather than Japan's mainland monopolies, the island is able to split its electricity services between three distinct activities; generation, distribution and supply side. The municipality owns the power grid, and three local cooperatives are distributing and supplying the electricity in the island, along with Kyusyu Power Company. Finally, Yakushima Denko Company is producing the electricity consumed on the island. It has been operating since the late 1950’s. The island benefits from excellent hydropower potentials: rainfall is around twice as much compared to the rest of Japan (4,500 mm per year) and the island has many waterfalls. In 1953, the island's first waterfall hydropower plant, Chihiro (1,000Kwh) began supplying the island with most of its electricity. Since then, the Awa hydropower plant (capacity of 10,9000Kwh) and the upgrading of the two power plants in 1979 – from 1,000 to 1,300Kwh for Chihiro and from 10,9000 Kwh to 32,000 Kwh for Awa power plant has been in operation. In addition, auxiliary thermal generators are used as backups in case of low rainfall and during maintenance, critical as the island is a closed electricity grid. For Yakushima’s community and stakeholders, renewable energy systems have provided the most robust and safe solution for them since the island is repeatedly impacted by water disasters such as typhoons or floods. In cooperation with Kagoshima prefecture, Yakushima has been investigating the potential of new transport technologies, such as EV, HEV and Fuel Cell Cars since 1990. The share of EV is still only in 1% in the island, but the local governments are now working with Nissan and Mitsubishi to develop new electrical vehicles completely powered by renewables. In order to promote EV, Kagoshima prefecture is offering financial incentives to buyers, as high as half the price of the vehicle. In relation to energy saving and awareness among civil society, the island promotes educational programs in school and public seminars, as well as a contest called “CO2 Diet” among inhabitants, to reduce energy consumption through behavioural and lifestyle changes.
  • Population: 13,178 (2010)
  • Area: 504.88 km2 (194.94 sq mi)
  • Link: http://www.globalislands.net/greenislands/index.php?region=9&c=45
Yakushima, Japan