Kiribati Power Plant Energy Storage Project

Who generates electricity in Kiribati?

Sector context. Grid-connected electricity in Kiribati’s capital, South Tarawa, is generated 4. and distributed by the Public Utilities Board (PUB), a state-owned electricity and water utility.

Why is electricity so expensive in Kiribati?

Of the 7,877 households in South Tarawa (44% of total households in Kiribati), 72.4% are connected to grid electricity. Access is largely for lighting, and that lighting is often insufficient, inefficient, and expensive. The high electricity cost has suppressed demand and has hindered growth in the commercial and tourism sectors.

How will Kiribati's water crisis affect the community?

There will be impacts on one communal water well, and over 600 trees. Consultations were conducted with affected persons and nearby communities. A Resettlement Plan has been prepared in compliance with the SPS and laws of Kiribati.

How many people live in Kiribati?

Half of Kiribati’s population of 115,847 live in the capital, South Tarawa, which has a land area of only 16 km2 (population density of over 3,600 per km2). Of the 7,877 households in South Tarawa (44% of total households in Kiribati), 72.4% are connected to grid electricity.

How did Kiribati get a grant co-financing?

24 Project Administration Manual (accessible from the list of linked documents in Appendix 2). of Kiribati requested grant co-financing equivalent to $3.7 million from the Strategic Climate Fund,25 and $2.0 million from the Government of New Zealand through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both to be administered by ADB.

How much does a kilowatt-hour supply cost in Pacific?

“Utilities Benchmarking Report, 2017 Fiscal Year”, indicates the average supply costs across Pacific utilities is $0.32 per kilowatt-hour compared to 0.395 per kilowatt-hour for South Tarawa. only around 9% of demand on South Tarawa. Diesel generation supply the remaining 91%.