Meridian breaks ground on 1-MW solar project in Tonga

Nov 11, 2011 - New Zealand-based renewable power company Meridian Energy Ltd has started construction on a 1-MW photovoltaic solar project in Tonga.

A ground-breaking ceremony for what will be Tonga's first utility-scale renewable energy facility was held on Thursday, the company said in a statement on its website.

The Popua Solar Farm is a collaborative project between Meridian, Tonga Power Ltd and the Tongan government, while the New Zealand Aid Programme has provided project financing.

The project is located next to Tonga Power's Popua Power Station in Tongatapu, the kingdom's main island. Construction is set to be completed in July next year. When up and running, the solar farm is expected to produce some 1,880 MWh of electricity per year, which represents some 4% of Tongatapu's electricity consumption.

Meridian is providing development, engineering, construction and commissioning services, and also asset management and maintenance advice.

Tonga Power will lease the facility for five years before assuming ownership.

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