by Allanah Leahy – EM TV Online
The World Bank’s Sustainable Energy Industry Development Project aims to provide data and analysis of renewable energy options throughout the Pacific region.
PNG’s World Bank Country Director, Franz Drees-Gross, says the Pacific has a heavy reliance on imported fuel.
He says renewable energy sources like wind and solar are increasingly vital to the region, where countries use 25 per cent of their GDP on imported fuel.
“This project will provide the know-how for Pacific Island governments to make informed decisions on the best energy sources for their country, leading to more sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity for the people of the Pacific…
“By improving the planning of where and how energy infrastructure is built, Pacific governments will be in a stronger position to protect and maintain power sources, which are critically important at all times, but especially when disasters inevitably strike,” Mr Drees-Gross says.
Three World Bank partners are financing the project, through million dollar grants, totalling over K16 million.
The project is expected to improve long-term disaster and energy planning, due to the impact of natural disasters and climate change in the Pacific.
