Collation of renewable energy infrastructure project cost data in the Pacific
Aim: To analyse the capital cost of large solar photovoltaic (PV), wind and hydro generation projects bulit in the Pacific over the past 10 years.
Objectives: Improve renewable energy project design and implementation through the provisions of reliable, comparable capital cost data.
Table below highlights the Electricity Access, RE Target, targeted year set by respective Pacific Island countries for their electricity sector.
Geography
Population
Electricity Access
Generation GWh pa
RE Target
RE Target by Year
Cook Islands
14 islands
15,200
99%
31.8
100%
2020
Fiji
320 islands,
106 inhabited
888,400
87%
900
100%
2030
FSM
607 islands
105,300
65%
72
> 30%
2020
Kiribati
32 widely scattered atolls
120,100
>65%
23
23 - 40%
2025
Marshall Islands
34 islands, mostly atolls
55,500
87%
101
20%
2020
Nauru
single island
11,000
100%
31.7
50%
2020
Niue
single island
1,520
99%
3.3
80%
2025
Palau
596 islands,
12 inhabited
17,900
98%
89.3
45%
2025
PNG
Over 600 islands
8,558,800
12%
217.3
100%
2030
Samoa
10 islands
196,700
100%
140
100%
2025
Solomon Islands
~1000 islands, 350 inhabited
682,500
23%
78
79%
2030
Tokelau
3 atolls
1,400
100%
1.2
100%
long-term
Tonga
176 islands,
36 inhabited
100,300
89%
55.4
50%
2020
Tuvalu
9 atolls
10,200
98%
5.2
100%
2020
Vanuatu
>80 islands,
65 inhabited
304,500
33%
66.3
100%
2030
Source: PRIF
In this report, they found the average total installed cost of PV systems has fallen from around USD $12/W in 2008 to $3/W in 2018. Key factors affecting installed costs include scale, location, and footing type (rooftop, concrete or piled), as well as the need for fencing, civil works and any requirements to bring in sand and repair/upgrade existing infrastructure.
For PV-battery systems, the system cost has fallen from around $11/W in 2014 to a range of $5 to $8/W in 2018. Key factors affecting costs are similar to PV-only systems with the added factors of battery type plus inverters function and sizing, as well as any requirements for new control systems and buildings to house battery banks and inverters.
Keywords: Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF), Renewable Energy Projects, Pacific Islands, Renewable Energy Costs
For more information on PRIF you can visit: https://www.theprif.org/
