Tonga: 6 Megawatt Hihifo Solar Power Project
In October 2018, Tonga Power Limited (TPL) solicited tenders for the design, fabrication, delivery, installation, operation and maintenance of a 6 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted grid interconnected solar photovoltaic (PV) system over three sites of 2MW each in Tongatapu under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with TPL (the Project). TPL will provide the land suitable for PV installation and secure all sites, permits and approvals from government agencies.
Project Details
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Project Officer
Burrell, Alix G.
Private Sector Operations Department
Request for information -
Approval Date
21 June 2021 -
Country/Economy
Tonga -
Sector
- Energy
| Project Name | 6 Megawatt Hihifo Solar Power Project | ||||||||||
| Project Number | 53258-001 | ||||||||||
| Borrower / Company | Sunergise New Zealand Limited |
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| Country / Economy | Tonga |
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| Location | Nation-wide | ||||||||||
| Type or Modality of Assistance |
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| Strategic Agendas | Environmentally sustainable growth Inclusive economic growth |
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| Drivers of Change | Knowledge solutions Partnerships Private sector development |
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| Sector / Subsector | Energy / Renewable energy generation - solar |
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| Gender Equity and Mainstreaming | Effective gender mainstreaming | ||||||||||
| Responsible ADB Department | Private Sector Operations Department | ||||||||||
| Responsible ADB Division | Infrastructure Finance Division 2 | ||||||||||
| Responsible ADB Officer | Burrell, Alix G. | ||||||||||
| Project Sponsor(s) | Sunergise International Limited |
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| Description | In October 2018, Tonga Power Limited (TPL) solicited tenders for the design, fabrication, delivery, installation, operation and maintenance of a 6 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted grid interconnected solar photovoltaic (PV) system over three sites of 2MW each in Tongatapu under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with TPL (the Project). TPL will provide the land suitable for PV installation and secure all sites, permits and approvals from government agencies. |
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| Objectives and Scope | The Project will provide 6MW of power to Tongatapu, displacing the existing diesel-generated power on the island. Furthermore, the Project will be processed under the Pacific Renewable Energy Program which will aims to support the creditworthiness of power utilities where governments in the Pacific were no longer able or willing to provide government guarantees for their power utility's offtake obligations. | ||||||||||
| Status of Development Objectives | Not yet implemented. | ||||||||||
| Status of Operation/Construction | Not yet commenced. | ||||||||||
| Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | The project supports the priorities of ADB's Strategy 2030 by: (i) addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities; (ii) accelerating progress in gender equality; and (iii) tackling climate change, building climate and disaster resilience, and enhancing environmental sustainability. It will also contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 7: ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The project is in line with the objectives of ADB's 2009 Energy Policy to promote renewable energy. It is included in ADB's country operations business plan for 11 small pacific island countries, 2019-2021,13 which supports private sector-led infrastructure development. The project is in line with the objectives of ADB's 2009 Energy Policy to promote renewable energy. ADB's energy policy also emphasizes energy security and facilitates a transition to a low-carbon economy, universal access to energy, and achieving ADB's vision of a region free of poverty. |
| Safeguard Categories | |
|---|---|
| Environment | B |
| Involuntary Resettlement | C |
| Indigenous Peoples | C |
| Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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| Environmental Aspects | The project is classified as category B for environment based on associated environmental impacts of the project. An IEE Report has been prepared for the Project in compliance with the ADB SPS 2009 requirements. |
| Involuntary Resettlement | The establishment of 3 solar power plants will require approximately 24 acres of land and sites are either idle or underutilized. The project will not lead to losses of crops, trees and fixed assets. Land will be sub-leased by Tonga Power Limited (TPL) to Sunergise (borrower) for at least 30 years. Access road upgrade and transmission line extension components will not require land acquisition since these will be constructed within the existing road reserve. The establishment of solar power plant will not lead to any physical or economic displacement. |
| Indigenous Peoples | The proposed project is relatively small in magnitude and is not expected to impact on any distinct and vulnerable group of IPs as defined under ADB Safeguard Policy Statement. All activities related to the construction and implementation of the project will be done in a culturally appropriate and participatory manner. |
| Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
| Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation | |
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| Concept Clearance | 18 Jun 2019 |
| Credit Committee Meeting | 06 Jul 2020 |
| Approval | 21 Jun 2021 |
| Last PDS Update | 20 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.
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| Title | Document Type | Document Date |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Megawatt Hihifo Solar Power Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Initial Poverty and Social Analysis | Jul 2021 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Megawatt Hihifo Solar Power Project: Initial Environmental Examination | Initial Environmental Examination | Oct 2021 |
| 6 Megawatt Hihifo Solar Power Project: Initial Environmental Examination | Initial Environmental Examination | Jun 2021 |
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.