Nauru flips the switch on new 6MW solar plant
- Admin
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Nauru has officially commissioned its new 6-megawatt solar power plant, which President David Adeang said will put the country on track to meet its goal of generating more than 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources.
“We can no longer afford to rely on old solutions to address our biggest challenges but must harness game-changing technology that’s focused squarely on the future,” Adeang said.
Nauru Utilities Corp. has officially switched on the plant’s 11kV control room, with renewable energy exports to the national power grid now gathering speed.
The $22-million solar plant’s full operation is expected to reach the full capacity—depending on the weather—by January 2026.
“The new energy infrastructure we’re delivering is truly nation-building and will benefit generations of Nauruans for decades to come,” Adeang said.
NUC's strategic plan, in conjunction with the Nauru Energy Road Map, targets 70 percent renewables by 2030.
The presidential office said the new project will also help to enhance the Nauruans’ technical skills to operate and maintain other plannedpower facilities, reducing the reliance on foreign operators.
Adeang added that the new power grid would also reduce Nauru’s reliance on imported diesel fuel.
“We are determined to stand on our own, and that’s why we’re investing more and more in home-grown infrastructure,” he said.
“This will deliver stronger energy security for households and businesses.”
The new solar infrastructure will improve NUC’s long-term profitability, while also leading to a substantial reduction in emissions," he added.
The solar plant project is one of a series of renewable energy projects being financed by the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility, which was developed in response to growing regional demand for energy finance.
Anthony Dimapilis, the utility corporation’s CEO, said the solar plant represents a major move toward a more sustainable and resilient future for Nauru.
“The benefits are substantial, including enhanced energy security, significant long-term cost savings by reducing reliance on imported diesel, and a critical step towards meeting our national climate commitments,” Dimapilis said.
The project is also expected to provide 100 percent grid-connected electricity supply to the people of Nauru during daylight hours.
The project included a 6MW grid-connected solar power plant and a 2.5MWh, 5MW battery energy storage system to supply continuous power even when solar energy is interrupted by cloud cover.
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