On December 17th, a deadly earthquake struck Vanuatu, disrupting infrastructure and exacerbating energy access challenges for millions of people in the Pacific, including a disproportionate number of women. Many of those who lost access live in remote and rural locations, are not served by an electricity grid, and rely on expensive and polluting fuels like imported diesel for electricity generation.

It’s clear that a transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy will transform lives for countless families and communities in the Pacific and beyond.

Over the past few years, the Australian Government has made significant strides in supporting this energy transition. Through the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership, Australia has committed AU$350 million via the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific to strengthen climate infrastructure and expand off-grid and community scale renewable energy in rural and remote parts of the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

One key initiative recently awarded to Palladium, REnew Pacific, was launched in November at COP29. It builds on the successful Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships through the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP).

These partnerships provide co-funding of up to AU$1 million to organisations developing innovative renewable energy solutions that increase access to affordable, reliable, off-grid electricity. The goal? To improve livelihoods, climate resilience, and economic opportunities for those who cannot connect to an electricity grid.

“The BPP is now delivering 13 Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships across six countries in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, and the anticipated impact is wide-reaching,” explains Phil Harman, BPP Team Leader. “We expect that by program end, more than 23,000 people will benefit from renewable energy in their homes, and more than 77,000 will benefit from access to renewable energy in public facilities.”

“Access to renewable energy can transform lives.”

He adds that it means better lighting at hospitals, schools and community centres, improved street lighting, solar water pumps, and solar-powered refrigeration, coffee processing, irrigation, and even ice-making.

Climate Readiness for the Most Vulnerable

For many remote communities across the Pacific, improved energy security and a move away from fossil fuels and towards sustainable and renewable energy sources is essential for building climate resilience and disaster readiness.

In Timor-Leste, one BPP off-grid partnership is helping catalyse sustainable coffee production, a move designed to boost sector productivity and improve rural livelihoods. Most rural communities have limited or no access to grid electricity, relying instead on diesel-powered generators. Meanwhile, the country’s economy is heavily reliant on oil, with over 90% of export income coming from fossil fuels. With production expected to wind down over the next decade, new solutions are needed.

With support from Australia, Engineers Without Borders Australia, Raw Material, and Mara Mresa are establishing renewable-energy powered coffee hubs. Focused on two off-grid coffee-producing communities, the partnership installs and maintains solar-powered coffee processing infrastructure hubs, benefiting from strong community relationships and collaboration. It aims to improve energy access, reduce emissions, create new job and income generating opportunities and increase participation of women in the coffee sector.

“We are excited about the opportunity to access and use renewable energy in our communities, to improve our coffee production and quality, and opportunities for our community members,” says Ameta Da Costa Alves from Raw Material Timor Leste.

Access to Renewable Energy Benefits Women

In Vanuatu, the BPP is also helping transform how women control and access clean and affordable energy in their local communities.

Only 33% of the population has access to grid power and energy access is even lower for rural communities, which 75% of Vanuatu’s population call home. For women especially, the lack of access to electricity impacts their lives disproportionately, affecting their health, safety in poorly lit areas, ability to use technology, and opportunity to gain financial independence. Women are also regularly excluded from policy discussions yet are often the ones who collect and use biomass for energy.

Thanks to a partnership between Australia, ActionAid, Powerwells and the Women I TokTok Tugeta Federation, that is all changing for local women from North Tanna’s Lawital community. Through the partnership, 115 households and five community centres will soon have access to lighting and device charging systems, with streetlights installed in ten public spaces.

“We are very excited about this partnership as it will show the leadership and agency of women,” says Flora Vano, ActionAid Vanuatu’s Country Manager. “Through this, we aim to achieve a more meaningful seat at the decision-making table and gain more respect for our women, girls and people with disabilities in our communities.”

The Future Looks Bright

Looking ahead to 2025, the Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships will continue to make a significant impact in the communities they serve. REnew Pacific is also set to open its Call for Partnerships, seeking partnerships with NGOs, the private sector, investors, community organisations, and government agencies to provide off-grid renewable energy solutions in rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

Do you have an innovative idea or solution for delivering sustainable energy to these areas? Register for updates on REnew Pacific, ahead of its application process opening in February 2025!

The Business Partnerships Platform is an Australian Government-funded project implemented by Palladium.