Climate Change Resilience
Renewable energy looks set to be a hot topic on the agenda at the upcoming United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Ahead of today's Renewable Energy Forum, Samoa's Prime Minister yesterday highlighted the critical importance of renewable energy to the future of small island developing states. Speaking at the opening of Samoa's first wind farm at Aleipata, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made reference to the historical relevance of Samoa's easterly trade winds to the people of our islands, and the importance of harnessing this natural source of energy to preserve our future.
Currently, 70% of Samoa's power supply derives from diesel and 30% comes from renewable sources such as hydro and solar power. The opening of the Aleipata wind farm today signifies another step towards the Samoan Government's goal of achieving its target of 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2017.
Staff from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) attended yesterday's launch in support of the initiative. Wind monitoring undertaken through SPREP's Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project (PIGGAREP) project contributed to the successful funding of this important initiative.
Further examples of PIGGAREP's growing reputation as a 'springboard' for successful renewable energy projects will be presented at today's Renewable Energy Forum in Apia.
PIGGAREP is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded regional project being implemented by UNDP (through the UNDP Samoa Multi Country Office) with SPREP as the implementing partner.
Ahead of today's Renewable Energy Forum, Samoa's Prime Minister yesterday highlighted the critical importance of renewable energy to the future of small island developing states. Speaking at the opening of Samoa's first wind farm at Aleipata, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi made reference to the historical relevance of Samoa's easterly trade winds to the people of our islands, and the importance of harnessing this natural source of energy to preserve our future.
Currently, 70% of Samoa's power supply derives from diesel and 30% comes from renewable sources such as hydro and solar power. The opening of the Aleipata wind farm today signifies another step towards the Samoan Government's goal of achieving its target of 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2017.
Staff from the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) attended yesterday's launch in support of the initiative. Wind monitoring undertaken through SPREP's Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement through Renewable Energy Project (PIGGAREP) project contributed to the successful funding of this important initiative.
Pictured above: Mr Wairarapa Young (EPC), Ms Mina Weydahl (UNDP) and Mr Nixon Kua (SPREP) at the opening of the wind farm.
Further examples of PIGGAREP's growing reputation as a 'springboard' for successful renewable energy projects will be presented at today's Renewable Energy Forum in Apia.
PIGGAREP is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded regional project being implemented by UNDP (through the UNDP Samoa Multi Country Office) with SPREP as the implementing partner.