Matatoa, Tofoa, October 25th, 2022 — The special event today marks the official opening of Tonga’s first ever large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) by the Guest of Honor for the event, Honorable Huákavameiliku – Prime Minister for the Kingdom of Tonga. The two Battery Energy Storage systems are deliverables of the Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP) located in two separate locations. The first BESS, which is for grid stabilization, is located at the Popua Power Station and the second BESS, which is for load shifting, is located right behind NEMO’s new operations facility in Matatoa, Tofoa.  

Distinguished guests for this event included the Chairman for the Common Utilities Board of Directors, Mr. Tapu Panuve,  a high-level delegation from the Asian Development Bank led by ADB Director General for Pacific Department, Ms. Leah Gutierrez who delivered the remarks on behalf of the Asian Development Bank, and Mr, Aaron Batten, Regional Director of Asian Development Bank, Mr. Adrien BOCK, Chief Operating Officer for Akuo, Asia Pacific who delivered remarks on behalf of Akuo, as well as Chief Executive Officer for Ministry of Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate change & Communications Mr. Paula Maú, who delivered the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the Government of Tonga. A consistent theme highlighted throughout the event was the importance of perseverance & collaboration throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, of all involved stakeholders towards planning, financing and implementation of this vital technological enabling component, towards Tonga’s Nationally Determined contributions of achieving its 70% Renewable Energy generation target by end of year 2025.  

This project is worth a total of $16.7 million USD jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank, Green Climate Fund, and the Government of Australia, and implemented by Tonga Power Limited with assistance from the Government of Tonga. The contractor for the project was Akuo.  This project is a novelty in terms of technology for the Kingdom of Tonga, its main functions are a vital component and an enabling technology that is essential for the energy sector, which allows absorbing higher generation from renewable energy sources. The technology helps stabilize the electricity grid for intermittent generation of renewable energy and also operates as a load shifting to store the solar generation during the day to be utilized during high customer load demand hours in Tongatapu. This project is an essential step to allow further renewable energy to be connected to the electricity grid.  

The successful execution and delivery of these 2 complementary BESS projects in Tonga through the pandemic is the fruit of a trustful cooperation between ADB, TPL and Akuo. Each party has proven to be open, forward-looking and able to find solutions to install and commission the largest battery energy storage system in the South Pacific, despite a close of borders for more than 2 years.  

"The project couldn't have been delivered by Akuo without setting foot in the Kingdom if it wasn't for the counterparts to acknowledge the worldwide situation and be focused towards the success of the start of operation of the two BESS. Akuo is very thankful to the Client and its Funders for their flexibility and efforts towards reaching a common success in providing a key element to the energy transition in Tonga via the commissioning of the two battery energy storage systems” says Jean Ballandras CEO Akuo Asia-Pacific  

Two further hybrid solar and Battery Energy storage system projects, also part of the Tonga Renewable Energy Project, are close to completion in the outer islands of Vavaú & Éua. Both are aimed to be completed by November 2022.  

Tonga Power Limited continues to work collaboratively with Donor Partners and the Government of Tonga towards effective implementation of Renewable Energy projects towards achieving our National Determined Contribution of 70% Electricity generation by end of year 2025.