Topics & Events

FURUSAWA Naoko (Ms)
Project Coordinator
NEWJEC Inc

Potential site of the new hydropower station

Espiritu Santo Island (Santo) is the largest island in Vanuatu, and the town of Luganville is Vanuatu's second-largest city. In Santo, the Government of Japan implemented a project to construct the Sarakata River Hydroelectric Power Station as a grant aid project, and it has been the main power source. This showcases that Japan has been contributing to a stable power supply in this area using renewable energy. However, continuous demand growth in the island require diesel power generation even for night time.

Potential site of weir and headrace channel

As a part of the strategy called, "Island Hybrid Initiative", the Government of Japan has proposed this project " Project for Construction of Hydropower Station (Phase 2)" for the enhancement of power supply using renewable energy in Santo, and also to reduce electricity tariff by reducing reliance on imported fuel, and to contribute to climate change countermeasures. The current feasibility study is being carried out under this project.

In addition, the Government of Vanuatu set a target that electricity supply for all islands would be met 100% using renewable energy generation by 2030. This Santo's renewable project could play an important role as a model case for the other islands of Vanuatu.

Geological investigation (Drilling work)

Current Activities:

Based on the previous study, JICA study team has been conducting Feasibility Study and confirmed that the downstream of the existing Sarakata River Hydroelectric Power Station would be an ideal project site. Through this survey, the study team has confirmed that the new run of river hydropower plant with a capacity of 1,000kW would be a feasible. The study team has also been conducting environmental and social consideration study.

Consultation meeting with land owners

The government of Vanuatu has been expressing an interest to apply the GCF with the combination of JICA's hydropower project. Santo island is achieving a high ratio of renewable energy power supply with the hydropower generation by Japan's grant aid. Together with the optimization of hydropower generation, JICA and the Government of Vanuatu are working together to make a project proposal to establish 100% renewable energy in Santo.

Meeting with relevant authorities

Study for applying GCF fund in Vanuatu

The government of Vanuatu has been expressing an interest to apply the GCF with the combination of JICA's hydropower project. Santo island is achieving a high ratio of renewable energy power supply with the hydropower generation by Japan's grant aid. Together with the optimization of hydropower generation, JICA and the Government of Vanuatu are working together to make a project proposal to establish 100% renewable energy in Santo.