SPC and PPA join hands to address north Pacific energy challenges

Monday 19 March 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva –

The realisation of the ‘many partners, one team’ approach embodied in the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific moved another step forward when SPC and the Pacific Power Association (PPA), the two leading development agencies in the Pacific energy sector, commenced work in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to conduct a review of tariffs for the Kosrae Utility Authority (KUA) and assist in rehabilitation of the Nanpil hydro in Pohnpei.

SPC and PPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 3 November 2011 to effectively combine their resources and offer greater assistance and benefits to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs).

In the signing ceremony Dr Jimmie Rodgers, SPC Director-General, stated that the MOU would allow SPC to collaborate more closely with PPA to assist PICTs achieve their national development outcomes in the energy sector. He further stated that there are natural synergies between PPA, which works with regional power utilities, and SPC, which provides regulatory assistance with the energy sector as well as technical support and policy advice on alternative sources of energy.