Why is South Tarawa project important?

This is a critical 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 current electricity demand in South Tarawa?

Source: ADB. III. 22. The present yearly electricity demand in South Tarawa is around 29 GWh and is expected to grow by 2% annually. The total power rating available to PUB is around 5MW, sufficient to meet the above yearly demand when all diesel generation sets are operational.

What are the 548kwp (kilowatt peak capacity) solar panels?

The 548kWp (kilowatt peak capacity) solar panels were fitted onto four buildings in South Tarawa – the Kiribati Institute of Technology, Betio Sports Complex, Tungaru Hospital and King George V Secondary School – with the latter two sites also requiring roofs to be replaced through the project in order for the panels to be secured.

What is the Kiribati grid connected solar PV project?

Ending in 2018, the Kiribati Grid Connected Solar PV Project is coordinated by the World Bank and funded through a US$1 million grant from the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and a US$2.92 million grant from the Government of Australia, through the Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility (PRIF).

What are the environmental benefits of a solar power plant?

The project is also expected to generate positive environmental benefits from replacing diesel plants with solar power plants, resulting in avoided nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Will solar panels reduce Kiribati's dependence on imported fuel?

Tarawa Kiribati, September 23, 2016 – Large-scale solar panels installed at four government owned facilities were officially unveiled today as part of a new World Bank project designed to reduce Kiribati’s dependence on imported fuel.