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IRENA Renewable Energy Country Profiles: Pacific Overview (September 2012)

IRENA Renewable Energy Country Profiles provide a comprehensive update on renewable energy developments at the country level in the Pacific region, based on data from 2009 to 2012. The profiles combine IRENA's analysis with the latest country data and additional sources, offering insights into energy supply, electricity generation, grid capacity, and access, along with policies, targets, and resources.

Data availability varies, so regional comparisons are limited to the latest year with complete data. Notwithstanding data lags, significant disparities exist between countries, underscoring the need for such analyses.

This document is a starting point, with IRENA committed to expanding the geographic scope, adding new indicators, and maintaining the reports as a live online resource. Feedback is invited at statistics@irena.org.

The profiles cover countries like Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea.

Australia

• Population in 2010: 22.3 million; GDP: US$1.1 trillion.
• High GDP per capita, but renewable energy usage in electricity (7.7%) and primary energy (5.5%) is modest compared to New Zealand.
• Strong policies since the Rio Conference, including mandates like the Renewable Energy (Ret) target (20% by 2020).
• Active projects: Up to 15 GW planned in wind, solar, and geothermal, reflecting high renewable resource potential.
• Challenges include medium to high renewable resource ratings but with varying implementation.

New Zealand

• Population: 4.4 million; GDP: US$142.5 billion.
• Leads with 71.7% renewable electricity generation and high renewables in primary energy (35.8%).
• Aims for 90% renewable electricity by 2025, supported by policies like the Energy Efficiency Strategy.
• Projects include 510 MW geothermal and 3.6 GW wind capacity additions.
• High renewable resource potential across hydro, wind, and geothermal.

Fiji

• Population: 861,000; GDP: US$3.2 billion.
• High renewable reliance (58.9%) in electricity generation due to hydro and biomass.
• Targets: Achieve 100% final energy from renewables by 2013, with policy frameworks in place.
• Limited projects data, but solid biofuels are a key resource.

Other Pacific Countries

Each country profile details renewable energy statistics, policies, and resources. Notable examples:

• Solomon Islands: Aims for 50% renewable electricity by 2015 but faces low current renewable capacity (0.7%).
• Vanuatu: Set to use 100% renewable energy by 2020, with moderate resource potential.
• Kiribati: Low renewable use but targets improving by embracing solar and other sources.

Common themes across the Pacific include policies since the 1992 RIO conference, international cooperation (e.g., CDM projects), and varying renewable potential. Ease of doing business varies by country, influencing private investment. Most nations set renewable energy targets for 2020 or beyond, reflecting a global shift, even if development faces regional challenges like fuel import dependency and limited grid capacity.

IRENA encourages feedback to improve future reports.