Tonga : Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility: Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project

Sovereign Project | 49450-036

The project will convert the distribution network of the Nuku'alofa with climate resilient infrastructure. The project will (i) convert the open overhead network to covered area bundled conductors, (ii) replace overhead consumer connections to underground cables, (iii) convert existing old distribution poles to climate resilient high standard poles, and (iv) replace ageing distribution switchgear. The project will target the Area 5 of the Tonga Power Limited (TPL)'s overall plan of converting all 5 areas of Nuku'alofa network.

Project Details

Related Projects

Project Name Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility: Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project
Project Number 49450-036
Country / Economy Tonga
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Loan
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 0868-TON: Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility: Nukualofa Network Upgrade Project
Concessional ordinary capital resources lending US$ 7.20 million
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
OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
Sector / Subsector

Energy / Electricity transmission and distribution
Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Description The project will convert the distribution network of the Nuku'alofa with climate resilient infrastructure. The project will (i) convert the open overhead network to covered area bundled conductors, (ii) replace overhead consumer connections to underground cables, (iii) convert existing old distribution poles to climate resilient high standard poles, and (iv) replace ageing distribution switchgear. The project will target the Area 5 of the Tonga Power Limited (TPL)'s overall plan of converting all 5 areas of Nuku'alofa network.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The Kingdom of Tonga is a small island developing state which is susceptible to natural disasters and climate change impacts due to its geographical location and orientation. The country is therefore exposed to social and economic vulnerability impacting community livelihoods and infrastructure. The project aims to address the vulnerability of electricity network infrastructure and to reconstruct and enhance the infrastructure standards to make them disaster resilience.
Impact

Electricity supply reliability in Nuku'alofa improved.
Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Technical power losses and climate vulnerability of the electricity network in Nuku'alofa reduced.
Progress Toward Outcome
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Nuku'alofa electricity network system improved

Project implementation capacity and gender inclusiveness of TPL operations enhanced.
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)
Geographical Location Nuku'alofa
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement C
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
Responsible ADB Officer Lee, Woo Yul
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division PAEN
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Finance
Timetable
Concept Clearance -
Fact Finding 28 Mar 2022 to 13 Apr 2022
MRM 12 Oct 2022
Approval 05 Dec 2022
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 07 Dec 2022

Grant 0868-TON

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
05 Dec 2022 08 Dec 2022 20 Jan 2023 30 Jun 2027 - -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 8.20 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 7.20 26 Apr 2023 0.00 0.00 0%
Counterpart 1.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 26 Apr 2023 0.00 0.00 0%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory - - - -

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.

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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.

Title Document Type Document Date
Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade under the Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility: Social Safeguards Due Diligence Report Safeguards Due Diligence Reports Sep 2022
Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade under the Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility: Draft Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Sep 2022

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

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Project No. 49450-036 TON: Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project Invitation for Bids Tender
Project No. 49450-034 TON: Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project (OCB/NNUP05/21) Invitation for Bids Closed
Project No. 49450-036 TON: Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project Invitation for Bids Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans Sep 2022