The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Papua New Guinea together with the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government have launched US$4.4 million (K15.5 million) Bougainville Micro Solar Farms Project in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

The project supports the provision of renewable and reliable energy for a more sustainable and climate resilient future for the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

This project is part of the wider US$36 million (K126 million) “Enhancing Green Transformation in the Pacific towards Net-Zero Emissions and Climate-Resilient Development for Peace” project that the Government of Japan is funding to support four Pacific Island nations.

The “Green Transformation” initiatives will reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, drive sustainable economic growth and help them cope with the impacts of climate change.

The four Pacific countries benefiting from this project are PNG, Samoa, Timor Leste, and Vanuatu.

The project will leverage the expertise of UNDP’s Climate Promise portfolio to support each country to transition toward net zero and climate resilient pathways, in line with their commitments enshrined in the Paris Agreement, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Funded by the Government of Japan, the Bougainville Micro Solar Farms Project is designed to support the development of renewable energy options in Bougainville and reduction on reliance on diesel as the main form of energy in the region.

The project will support the construction and commissioning of three micro solar farms in the north, central, and south regions of Bougainville with a total capacity of 1 megawatt (MW).

It will also provide independent and neutral support to the two governments in the implementation of the post referendum process.

The Ambassador of Japan to PNG, Nobuyuki Watanabe said it was an opportune time to help support the green transformation in the Pacific and in particular PNG that relies heavily on fossil fuels to power much of its electricity generation.