New Zealand is to give Tonga $US7.9 million dollars so it can complete an upgrade of Nukualofa's electricity network.
The big challenge is to restore power to Tonga again. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said this funding was for the first stage of a five-year project to improve the reliability, resilience, and safety of the electricity supply for more than 2000 households and businesses.
He said it was in addition to $US5 million in additional emergency funding for repairs following Cyclone Gita, announced earlier today.
Mr Peters said the network upgrade would deliver reduced line losses, reduced emissions from diesel generation, and generate savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.