Supporting Implementation of 100% Renewable Electricity by 2020

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Cook Islands

Description

Overview
Sector	Energy
Focus area	Renewable energy (unspecified)
Type of action	Project
Scope	National
Stage	Under development
Submitted to UNFCCC registry	Yes
Start of initiative	2013

Financing and support details
Financing status	Seeking financing
Total cost	US$ 200 mln
Financing requested	US$ 0.46 mln
Financing received to-date	(no data)
Principal source of financing	Not known
Principal type of financing	Not known
Capacity building required	Yes
Technology transfer required	No

Additional information
Proponent(s)	Renewable Energy Development Division, Office of the Prime Minister
International funder(s)	(no data)
Organization providing technical support	(no data)
Contact	(no data)

Objective:

The Cook Islands Government has set a policy goal for 100% renewable electricity by 2020 with a phased-in implementation plan that achieves 50% by 2015. This NAMA sets out the support requirements beyond that which has already been secured from international sources. Currently, power generation by the public owned electricity systems in the Cook Islands is by diesel generators. The objective of this NAMA is to see all these replaced by renewable sources of electricity, with diesel generators only kept for emergency back-up purposes.

Activities: (2013 - 2020)
The activities of this NAMA represent only a part of the overall plans to achieve the RE target. They include:

• Renewable energy technology trades training courses
• Policy assistance for new legal and regulatory frameworks, in particular as required for private sector investment in renewable electricity system

Impact and MRV

Cumulative GHG reductions: No data available

Mitigative capacity:

Currently, power generation by the public owned electricity systems in the Cook Islands is by diesel generators. The objective of this NAMA is to see all these replaced by renewable sources of electricity, with diesel genrators only kept for emergency back-up purposes. The benefits of replacing diesel generation with renewable sources of electricity are quite straightforward. Using an emissions factor of 2.7 kgCO2/litre diesel, the avoided emissions based on the current total generation per annum in the Cook Islands is about 25 kt CO2. It is as yet unclear the extent to which demand reductions from energy efficiency measures being implemented will equal and exceed demand increases from projected economic growth and increased tourism. If demand were to increase, then avoided emissions of diesel generation would increase commensurately."Currently, power generation by the public owned electricity systems in the Cook Islands is by diesel generators. The objective of this NAMA is to see all these replaced by renewable sources of electricity, with diesel genrators only kept for emergency back-up purposes. The benefits of replacing diesel generation with renewable sources of electricity are quite straightforward. Using an emissions factor of 2.7 kgCO2/litre diesel, the avoided emissions based on the current total generation per annum in the Cook Islands is about 25 kt CO2. It is as yet unclear the extent to which demand reductions from energy efficiency measures being implemented will equal and exceed demand increases from projected economic growth and increased tourism. If demand were to increase, then avoided emissions of diesel generation would increase commensurately." cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Co-benefits:

Social:	Information has not been provided
Economic:	Various: The direct benefit of jobs created during installations of the RE systems The general financial benefit of lowered electricity tariffs (which are planned) to consumers who will have more disposal income to spend elsewhere, thereby stimulating the economy The macro economic benefit of avoided diesel purchase with the commensurate reduction in foreign transfers and balance of trade deficit (noting that this benefit may be offset to some degree if an effect is that diesel imported/sold in the transport sector becomes more expensive) The macro and micro economic benefit if more private sector capital is attracted to the Cook Islands, e.g. investments by IPPs The intangible benefit of consumer and business confidence about the future costs of electricity with the elimination of the volatile cost of world oil prices – and increased investment that may stem from this increased confidence The effect of all these positive benefits on stemming migration both from the outer islands to Rarotonga and the Cook Islands to other countries – and, as well, the possibility to attract Cook Islanders living abroad to return and contribute to the national economy
Environmental:	Various: Importing diesel fuel and shipping it to outer islands has commensurate risks of spills into pristine environments (that attract tourists, vital to the economy), especially with increased projections of severe weather events due to climate change There are also problems with leaks from diesel storage facilities and dumping of waste oil during servicing of diesel generators Diesel generator emissions can also have local air pollution effects

MRV Framework:
No MRV plan has been defined

References

• http://unfccc.int/files/cooperation_support/nama/application/pdf/nama_implementation_renewable_energy_cook_islands.pdf

This NAMA was submitted to the UNFCCC NAMA registry as "seeking support for implementation". The NZD 550,000 is the initial support required for this NAMA to cover the annual cost (for 8 years) of a renewable energy technology trades training programme and the cost of policy assistance for new legal and regulatory frameworks, in particular as required for private sector investment in renewable electricity systems.