Vanuatu advances toward universal energy access with a comprehensive electrification strategy, uniting local and international efforts.
The final workshop for Vanuatu’s National Electrification Master Plan (NEMP) took place recently in Port Vila, marking a significant step toward achieving universal energy access by 2030. Led by the Vanuatu Department of Energy (DoE) with support from New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the event attracted over 60 participants, including government officials, regulators, development partners, and private sector representatives.
The NEMP, aligned with the National Energy Roadmap (NERM) 2016-2030, provides a staged approach to extend electricity access to all households in Vanuatu. According to project findings, minigrids are the most cost-effective solution for 52% of unelectrified areas, while 33% of households are best served by standalone solar systems and 15% grid extensions.
This strategy aims to integrate sustainable energy solutions across rural areas, contributing to Vanuatu’s economic and climate resilience goals.
The workshop covered three major segments. First, the consultants presented a nationwide geospatial assessment to map out the most cost-effective paths to electrification. A new interactive platform developed under the NEMP allows users to view layered information on infrastructure, facilitating cross-ministerial planning for rural development beyond electricity access.
In the second session, recommendations were shared for reinforcing energy access, focusing on policy, technical, economic, and social aspects. Key suggestions included enhancing the DoE’s off-grid team, fostering collaboration among development partners, and strengthening institutional capacity for a sustainable energy future.
Concluding the workshop, examples of ongoing electrification projects highlighted DoE’s active support for rural energy access. While the universal energy target by 2030 is ambitious, participants expressed optimism, emphasizing the need for cohesive efforts among government agencies, development partners, and stakeholders to realize this vision.