Bringing Renewable Energy to Pitcairn Island
Following an EU commissioned study in 2017, the EU agreed to fund a Renewable Energy project for Pitcairn to replace fossil fuel with Solar Power under the EDF 11 Regional Envelope and we have been working with our partners in New Caledonia who manage the project on behalf of the four Pacific EU Overseas Territories.
The initial intention was for a one-off tender process for a site visit for the successful bidder for a Design/Build/Install and Train contract but then Covid-19 intervened and with borders closed, a rethink was necessary. So, it was decided to progress with Stage 1 to design the project and thereafter to go out to tender for the Build/Install and Train component. Solar Power to replace fossil fuel fits well with Pitcairn’s blue and green economic objectives.
A large number of companies from around the world tendered for the project, all were of a high calibre and after much deliberation the project design contract was awarded to One Energy Island, a South Korean Company who have successfully undertaken other similar projects in the Pacific Region.
While a site visit was obviously preferable to desk study, a number of instruments were developed such as very high-resolution satellite photography and data which enabled the topography of the Island to be factored into the planning process.
Pitcairn Power Grid. Credit: Government of the Pitcairn Island
Several meetings were held on Island and by teleconference with our partners and the Solar Energy project began to take shape. The aim of the project is to ensure that every Pitcairn home and government building has a power connection from the grid to the household or building. Removing demand for fossil fuel.
The final draft was submitted and approved by all parties in early November.
We are proceeding to International tender for the next stage to build design and install Pitcairn’s Solar Power System. We are hopeful, if Covid restrictions allow to have the process completed by early 2022.