Tokelau was the first nation in the world to go 100% solar in 2012. Now the country is aiming to keep its fully renewable energy status in the future using wind power. This is going to reduce the need for diesel fuel backup in prolonged times of cloudy weather, and when the solar cell system needs maintenance. Robin Pene, Director of Energy in the Tokelau government, says there has been a reduction in efficiency of the Tokelau solar system as time went on. This is partly a result of system overload due to high demand. In fact consumer demand had risen 25% by 2014. That means the power system has been operating at the high end of its capacity, which potentially reduces its life span to less than the designed 10 years. Hence the need for system expansion: capacity is now being increased by the installation of additional solar panels, but thinking is going beyond that. |
The proposed wind turbine situated near the community restaurant Te Papa in Fakaofo. |
Installation of additional solar panels on the roof of the Nukunonu power house, that contains the banks of batteries being charged. |
Eventually each of the three Tokelauan atolls will have a hybrid system, comprising an extended solar panel system with a wind generator backup. Some diesel for power generation will still be required at times to fully boost the batteries occasionally, to extend their life span. But overall this will be the exception rather than the rule. And after that? “We’re already looking at the production of biogas from piggeries waste and village waste water,” Robin says. “That would provide methane gas for cooking, fertiliser for our keyhole gardens, reduced greenhouse gas emission, and cleaner water returned to the lagoons. The gas can also be used for lighting, or compressed as CNG for fuelling motors and generators. All important steps for sustainable life in Tokelau.” For more information email Robin Pene, Director of Energy. |