Kiribati : South Tarawa Renewable Energy Project (Phase 2)
The proposed project will initiate and contribute to the transformation of the Kiribati energy sector to one that is low-carbon and adapted to growing climate and natural hazards. It will do this by installing the innovative, climate-adapted and efficient floating PV (FPV) for power generation and for services and benefits beyond electricity.
Project Details
-
Project Officer
Tiangco, Cinderella C.
Pacific Department
Request for information -
Country/Economy
Kiribati -
Sector
- Energy
Related Projects
Project Name | South Tarawa Renewable Energy Project (Phase 2) | ||||
Project Number | 49450-030 | ||||
Country / Economy | Kiribati |
||||
Project Status | Proposed | ||||
Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Loan |
||||
Source of Funding / Amount |
|
||||
Operational Priorities | OP1: Addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities OP2: Accelerating progress in gender equality OP3: Tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability OP4: Making cities more livable OP5: Promoting rural development and food security OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity |
||||
Sector / Subsector |
Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Fishery - Water-based natural resources management Energy / Electricity transmission and distribution - Energy sector development and institutional reform - Energy utility services - Renewable energy generation - solar Public sector management / Reforms of state owned enterprises - Social protection initiatives Transport / Road transport (non-urban) Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban water supply |
||||
Gender | Effective gender mainstreaming | ||||
Description | The proposed project will initiate and contribute to the transformation of the Kiribati energy sector to one that is low-carbon and adapted to growing climate and natural hazards. It will do this by installing the innovative, climate-adapted and efficient floating PV (FPV) for power generation and for services and benefits beyond electricity. The project will indicatively install 4 megawatts (MW) FPV, 3 megavolt-ampere (MVA) /5 megawatt-hour (MWh) BESS, and 33 kilovolt (kV) underground transmission network on Betio, as well as 5 MW FPV, 4 MVA/xx MWh BESS, and 33 kV underground transmission network in Bikenibeu, including all related grid integration and control systems. Adaptive low-carbon productive uses of energy infrastructure installed. The FPV systems will be designed to integrate priority sustainable value-added end-uses to maximize the use of daytime solar energy. The project will also indicatively install productive uses of energy infrastructure such as (i) a water storage, treatment, and distribution system, (ii) an agriculture/aquaculture pilot project (iii) electric vehicle and charging station, and (iv) coastal protection and disaster risk reduction measures. The project will also include institutional capacity strengthening. |
||||
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | Kiribati's remoteness from major markets and most resources leads to high import costs, while its low elevation averaging only 2 meters above sea level creates severe vulnerability to sea-level rise and other climate change impacts. Like many other small Pacific islands, Kiribati's power generation and transport rely heavily on imported diesel fuel, transported over long distances across the ocean and subject to weather and climate-change related supply disruptions. This dependence exposes Kiribati to high and fluctuating oil prices and has resulted in one of the region's highest costs of power generation. Around 60% of Kiribati's population of 119,449 (2020 estimate) lives in South Tarawa, which has a land area of only 16 km2. The extreme land constraint limits food production further exposing the country to the high cost of imported food. Saltwater intrusion and other natural hazards endanger the limited freshwater resource and further damage the aged water supply infrastructure, both contributing to the spread of water-borne diseases and greenhouse gas emissions from boiling water using kerosene or biomass. All infrastructure lies on land close to the coast. The Government of Kiribati has prioritized strengthening fuel security and reducing emissions and hopes that continued investments in renewable energy, energy storage, and distributed technologies improve the country's energy security, increase grid reliability, while reducing diesel consumption. However, the approach to developing the energy sector has focused on maintaining the existing generation and distribution network, and progressively replacing diesel with land-based PV. Due to climate change, the current model to developing the energy sector is no longer sustainable. Over the last two decades, Tarawa has become particularly vulnerable to climate hazards, with longer and more intense dry periods, more regular flooding, sea level rise (SLR), extreme weather events, higher temperatures, and storm surges. SLR means that there will be far less dry land available to host energy infrastructure, reclamation is costly, and the future location of suitable land is unknown. Coastal erosion and SLR threaten all land-based infrastructure and thus, adaptive climate-resilient technologies and approaches are now required. A sustainable, accessible energy supply is vital to lowering vulnerability and to providing a basis to all adaptation pathways. Access to clean energy and water allows communities to develop climate-adapted livelihoods and, over time, adapt more successfully to climate change. For example, sustainable energy supply provides a basis for: (i) sustainable food and water supplies; (ii) reliable education facilities; (iii) reliable health care facilities; (iv) low-carbon transport; and (v) other innovative end-use technologies and applications |
||||
Impact | Renewable energy generation increased and greenhouse gas emissions reduced in Kiribati. |
||||
Outcome | Increased generation and utilization of climate-adapted renewable energy in South Tarawa |
||||
Outputs | Climate-resilient floating solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage system and grid infrastructure installed Adaptive low-carbon productive uses of energy infrastructure installed Sector reforms and institutional strengthening implemented |
||||
Geographical Location |
Safeguard Categories | |
---|---|
Environment | B |
Involuntary Resettlement | B |
Indigenous Peoples | C |
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
---|---|
Environmental Aspects | |
Involuntary Resettlement | |
Indigenous Peoples | |
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
During Project Design | |
During Project Implementation |
Business Opportunities | |
---|---|
Consulting Services | All consultants will be recruited according to ADB's Procurement Policy (2017). |
Procurement | All procurement of goods and works will be undertaken in accordance with ADB''s Procurement Policy (2017). |
Responsible ADB Officer | Tiangco, Cinderella C. |
Responsible ADB Department | Pacific Department |
Responsible ADB Division | PAEN |
Executing Agencies |
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development |
Timetable | |
---|---|
Concept Clearance | - |
Fact Finding | 19 Jun 2023 to 22 Jun 2023 |
MRM | 15 Sep 2023 |
Approval | - |
Last Review Mission | - |
Last PDS Update | 30 Sep 2022 |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.
The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
None currently available.
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
None currently available.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
None currently available.
Related Publications
None currently available.
The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.
Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.
Tenders
Contracts Awarded
Procurement Plan
None currently available.