- Target: Transition to renewable energy balanced with energy efficiency to stimulate green growth.
- Status: In progress
- RES: Solar energy, hydropower and geothermal, coconut oil for biofuel.
- Implementation: Vanuatu is a nation of the South Pacific Ocean comprising around 80 islands. Located on the border of the Indian-Australian and the Pacific Plate, many islands are of volcanic origin and surrounded by coral reefs. Its economy is based on small-scale agriculture, tourism and fishery. Despite deforestation, the islands are covered with jungle and agricultural land (51,9%). About 20% of urban dwellers and 83% of rural residents lack access to electricity. The country is vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate change risks such as seas level rise. In response, Vanuatu created the Ministry of Climate Change in 2013, and launched "National Energy Road Map (NERM) for 2013 to 2020" by following examples of similar countries, with technical assistance of the World Bank. The road map was updated to "NERM 2016 to 2030" after Vanuatu was hit by Hurricane Pam in 2015. The new map would detail the central role of renewable energy balanced with energy efficiency and introduces the economic opportunities for green growth. The map formulates five key priorities of the energy sector: access through grid extension and micro-grids, petroleum supply for transport, affordability, energy security and climate change mitigation. Implementation would be achieved through governmental leadership, empowered and accountable energy institutions and a sector-wide approach following the principle “Many Partners, One Team, One Plan”. A Green Energy fund would foster energy projects by the national private sector. Several international investors would also be involved. The energy plan has since led to projects in geothermal, hydropower and solar energy being deployed by Australia, Austria, Italy and the European Union. One notable example is the wind park at Devil’s Point which covers around 7% of the capital island’s energy demand.
- Population: 270,402 (2016)
- Area: 12,189 km2(4,706 sq mi)
- Link: Updated Vanuatu National Energy Roadmap
