New Zealand's High Commissioner in Vanuatu says the new Rural Electrification Project will help improve livelihoods and management of households in many communities across the country.
The project, which is supported by the New Zealand aid programme and the World Bank, was launched last week and is set to provide access to solar power for 17,500 off-grid households.
Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins
Georgina Roberts says for 85 percent of Vanuatu households, any type of power grid system access is unattainable and expensive.
"So, being able to offer these opportunities for people out in the rural areas in particular to access electricity is going to help them improve their social conditions, ability for people in households to have children who can study at night, Mamas and others who are working from home. Being able to access electricity also gives them the ability to take care of their homes, their children and also their broader communities."
Georgina Roberts says the project supports the implementation of the Vanuatu national energy roadmap which aims to provide access to secure, reliable and affordable electricity for all citizens by 2030.