ADB to back 18-MW solar scheme on Cook Islands

Nov 25, 2014 - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said yesterday it will provide USD 11.2 million (EUR 9m) in financing for the construction of 18 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities on the Cook Islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

The plants will be built under a USD-24.3-million project aimed at lowering the island’s dependence on fossil fuels. The European Union (EU) and the local government have also committed to back the scheme with USD 7.3 million and USD 5.8 million, respectively. The project will see six of the islands being equipped with solar photovoltaic (PV) plants, each with a capacity of about 3 MW.

Once commissioned, the 18 MW of plants are expected to help save about 2,930 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year and lower annual diesel consumption by 1.09 million litres (289,000 gallons).

The Cook Islands aim to start supplying renewable electricity to all islands by 2020. The island country, which is in free association with New Zealand, currently has only 5.5% of its households using additional solar systems.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.805)

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