Safer streets and greener jobs for Vanuatu’s remote communities

Australia is powering sustainable energy and jobs for remote communities across Vanuatu, thanks to two Off-Grid Renewable Partnerships officially launched last week at a special event hosted by the Australia Government and ActionAid Vanuatu. 

More than 400 attended the Port Vila Convention Centre to celebrate the Vanuatu partnerships, officially launched by Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Special Envoy on Climate Change and Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu H.E. Max Willis.

Local women from North Tanna’s Lawital community are gaining training, networks and technology to access safe and reliable energy in their homes and public spaces, making it safer for women at night, through a partnership with ActionAid, Powerwells, the Women I TokTok Tugeta (WITT) Federation and the Australian Government. This partnership will directly benefit more than 800 community members. Find out more about that partnership here.

Up to around 55,000 people in communities across Aneityum, Pentecost, and Tanna have the potential to benefit from stronger local solar repair capabilities, leading to greener jobs for local people and businesses through a partnership between the University of New South Wales, Vanuatu Disability Promotion Advocacy Association, Vanuatu Institute of Technology, University of the South Pacific, the Vanuatu Department of Energy and Australian Government that is tackling the growing issue of e-waste from solar energy systems. Find out more about that partnership here.

Speaking at the event, the Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, H.E. Max Willis said Australia is a genuine partner with Vanuatu on climate resilience and environmental sustainability.

“Climate resilience and environmental sustainability is fundamental to the way we deliver all our programs. I’m pleased it forms such a strong part of these two new projects. Not only taking the clean and affordable power of solar energy to remote communities, but also tackling e-waste and promoting the circular economy, so Vanuatu can stay beautiful and healthy for generations to come,” Mr Willis said.

Michelle Higelin, Executive Director of ActionAid Australia said: “One of the priorities that women have continued to raise is the need for access to electricity – for cooking, for their children to do their homework, and for lighting to improve safety in the community. Up to 90% of the population in rural areas of Vanuatu have no access to the electricity grid. Our goal with this project is to improve the livelihoods of women and their communities, by enhancing access to clean energy, improving women’s health and safety, promoting digital inclusion, and establishing a sustainable and scalable model.”

Dr Paul Munro, Scientia Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales, said: “Solar repair plays a crucial role in shaping Vanuatu’s energy future. Off-grid solar products are widespread across Vanuatu, particularly on Tanna, Aneityum and Pentecost islands, where most households rely on solar as their primary source of lighting. However, a common issue is that these products often stop functioning within a few years, which limits electricity access and contributes to waste. 

“The encouraging news is that these products are relatively easy to repair and we are exploring various opportunities to strengthen local repair practices. With our partners, we are especially focused on engaging women and people with disabilities in these initiatives.”

The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships are part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) initiative to expand AIFFP’s climate infrastructure investments. It does this by partnering with businesses to deliver reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, implemented by the BPP.