Niuatoputapu Island in the furthest north of Tonga will have a new solar electricity installation which will enable consumers to use refrigerators and normal household electrical appliances starting this year.
The solar power device is expected to have an inverter that could convert the DC electricity into 240 Volt AC power, the Minister for Internal Affairs and MP for the Niuas, Hon Fe’ao Vakatā told Kaniva News.
At the same time a solar light system will be installed in Niuafo’ou, the Minister said.
The project was funded by ADB bank which would include funding allocated for street lights for both the islands.
This is the first solar electricity project to be established at Tonga’s outer islands except Vava’u.
“Same project is expected for Nomuka, Ha’afeva, ‘Uiha, Felemea and Kauvai,” the Minister said.
The minister said most of the solar projects installed in the outer islands were primarily for solar lights only and they were not powerful enough to produce electricity for electrical home appliances.
He said they will travel to the Niuas next month as part of the ongoing works for the project.
Niuafo’ou is 591 km away from Tongatapu and according to the 2006 census has a population of 934.
Regarded as one of the most remote islands in the world, a vessel with passengers, goods for the shops, petrol and mail from Tongatapu arrives at Niuatoputapu once a month
