VANUATU: Vanuatu Renewables Readiness Assessment

Meta Data
Draft: 
No
Revision of previous policy?: 
No
Effective Start Year: 
2015
Scope: 
National
Document Type: 
Government Report, Other
Economic Sector: 
Energy, Power
Energy Types: 
Power, Renewable, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Hydropower, Solar, Wind
Issued by: 
International Renewable Energy Agency and Vanuatu Department of Energy
Source: 
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
File: 
Vanuatu Renewables Readiness Assessment 2015
Overall Summary: 
The document provides with the assessment of the country’s readiness in terms of renewable energy development. The resulting consultations produce a portfolio of actions that are needed to address key issues. In particular, the Assessment focuses on the recommended actions to implement in order to achieve the NERM renewable energy targets. The actions were divided three categories including Institutions and policy, Grid-connected renewables and Off-grid renewables.
Renewable Energy
RE action plans: 
Recommended actions. [...] • Prepare dynamic models of the Vanuatu grids. • Establish nationwide standards for grid- connected solar and wind systems. • Training and capacity building. • Finance for the private sector installation of grid-connected renewables. Off-grid renewables. • Design an institutional approach for sustaining off-grid electrification using Solar Home Systems (SHS) in homes and public buildings. • Develop standard designs for SHS and solar mini-grids. • Build capacity for sustainable use of off-grid solar technology. • Increase access to electricity in rural areas. • Conduct an off-grid market study. --- The following consolidated eight core activities are recommended to create the foundations for renewable energy in Vanuatu: [...] 2. Create dynamic models of the four concession grids to determine how well they accept solar or wind connection at various grid entry points. 3. Implement and enforce national standards for on-grid solar installations. 4. Create an institutional approach for off-grid SHS and mini-grid system O&M based both on prior experience in other Pacific islands and failed projects in Vanuatu. 5. Prepare a standard, modular design for SHS and solar mini-grids adaptable to a wide range of requirements. 6. Prepare a standard, modular design for solar mini-grids adaptable to a wide range of requirements. 7. Build capacity for on-grid and off-grid renewable energy technologies. 8. Facilitate financing to increase private investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Governance
National policy structure: 
Recommended actions. Actions needed to reach the NERM targets were divided three categories during stakeholder interviews and group discussions, as described below. Institutions and policy: • Review enabling legislation and other documents relating to URA and DoE responsibilities and tasks, and align them with NERM. • Support URA and DoE roles in NERM. • Facilitate coordination among development partners. --- The following consolidated eight core activities are recommended to create the foundations for renewable energy in Vanuatu: 1. Ensure the policies, regulations and legislation needed to support NERM are in place. Legal, administrative and regulatory barriers must not obstruct the fulfilment of NERM targets. Legislation on the authority and responsibilities of URA and DoE need to be reviewed in particular. If necessary, their authority and responsibilities need to be updated so that NERM targets are met. [...]