Tonga aims for 50% renewable energy

A New Zealand funded solar power plant in Tonga has already been commissioned.

Projects director Inoke Vala said the solar plant will eventually contribute about four percent of Tonga's energy demands.

The Tongan Government is aiming to generate half all the country's energy needs come from renewable sources by 2020.

Vala noted that Tonga's current power generation is largely based on fossil fuels imported from Singapore.

"If you are going to get significant contributions from renewable energy, you'll be looking at mixing wind, wave and also solar or biomass," he said.

"So that will go on for about 20 years, which is the life span of the panels."

Tonga is also investigating wind tower options in surrounding waters.

"In addition to that there is a biomass feasibility study, there is a tidal wave feasibility study already going on and a wave feasibility study," Mr Vala said.

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