How much electricity does South Tarawa need?

The PV systems account for 22% of installed capacity but supply only around 9% of electricity demand on South Tarawa. Diesel generation supply the remaining 91%. In 2019, demand on South Tarawa, the largest in the country, was 24.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh).

Why is South Tarawa project important?

This is a natural asset for South Tarawa and the project will help to reduce the decline in water availability and water quality as well as avoid the risk of further encroachment of incompatible land uses and contamination.

What is the impact of a solar energy project in Kiribati?

The project is aligned with the following impact: renewable energy generation increased and greenhouse gas emissions reduced in Kiribati. The project will have the following outcome: generation and utilization of clean energy in South Tarawa increased.24 13. Output 1: Solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system installed.

What is the poverty rate in South Tarawa?

South Tarawa has the highest number of poor people with a poverty rate of 24%.11Around 20- 25% of households are headed by women. The high population density of over 3,600 people per km2is stressing the natural environment, housing, land management, sanitation services and underground water reserves.

Who generates electricity in Kiribati?

Sector context. Grid-connected electricity in Kiribati’s capital, South Tarawa, is generated and distributed by the Public Utilities Board (PUB), a state-owned electricity, water and sewerage utility.

Why is electricity so expensive in Kiribati?

Of the 7,877 households in South Tarawa (44% of total households in Kiribati), 72.4% are connected to grid electricity. Access is largely for lighting, and that lighting is often insufficient, inefficient, and expensive. The high electricity cost has suppressed demand and has hindered growth in the commercial and tourism sectors.