On Thursday, 21-08, the Minister of Climate Change, Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, and the High Commissioner of New Zealand to Vanuatu, Her Excellency Nicola Simmonds, signed a partnership agreement under Vanuatu’s National Energy Road Map 2030.

This signing follows the visit of New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, who came to Vanuatu in April this year.

The agreement is for the New Zealand Government to help Vanuatu achieve renewable energy by 2030 through a project called RESSET(Renewable Energy Solar and Storage in Efate and Tanna).

RESSET will help Vanuatu to achieve close to 100 percent Renewable Energy through solar and storage in Efate and in Tanna.

Hon. Ralph Regenvanu and Her Excellency Nicola Simmonds signed the agreement.

Hon. Regenvanu said that Vanuatu has reached an important milestone in achieving the National Energy Road Map in Port Vila.

“As a climate vulnerable country, this helps us to show that we are making the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. And I thank New Zealand for stepping up and taking such a big project. I know we were looking for co-financing for years, but also for sticking with Vanuatu and our ambitions. And now we have found the partner in AFD. I just want to give all recognition to New Zealand for stepping up with such a transformational energy project in Vanuatu.”

Her Excellency Nicola Simmonds said the signing took place under the partnership arrangement between the two countries on renewable energy.

“This is a partnership arrangement between New Zealand and Vanuatu to deliver renewable energy and solar storage on Efate and Tanna, and we are planning to start construction in early next year.”

Through RESSET, Vanuatu will achieve 100 percent Renewable Energy and storage in Efate and in Tanna.