Draft Pre-Feasibility Report for Implementation of Solar pumps in Nauru

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Draft Pre-Feasibility Report for Implementation of Solar pumps in Nauru

Nauru is an island country in southwestern Pacific Ocean consists of a raised 21 km2 coral island located in southeastern Micronesia, 40 km south of the Equator. The island is about 1,300 km northeast of the Solomon Islands; its closest neighbour is the island of Banaba, in Kiribati, approximately 300 km to the east. Nauru has no official capital, but government offices are located in the district of Yaren.
Most of the island’s residents are indigenous Nauruans. There are small numbers of I-Kiribati (Gilbertese), Australians, New Zealanders, Chinese, and Tuvaluans; many members of the latter two groups were recruited as workers by the phosphate industry. Though Nauruan is the national language, English is widely spoken. Nauru is considered one of the most Westernized countries in the South Pacific.
Nauru Electricity Sector
Nauru is entirely dependent on imported fuel for generation of electricity. The government relies on grant funding from Australia and Japan for the purchase of imported fuel. Electricity consumption per capita is 2,035.8 kWh/person/year.
The state-owned Nauru Utilities Corporation (NUC) is responsible for electricity and water supply. Though the electrification rate is 100%, the installed capacity (99% diesel-based) is insufficient to meet the demand. The NUC is working to build generation capacity and refurbish existing equipment to provide more reliable power supply. The Government of Nauru has set a renewable energy target of 50% by 2020.
Connectivity and Accessibility
A sealed 19 km road goes all the way around and driving takes about 25 minutes to circumnavigate the island. A paved road system links all villages. Surface transportation to other destinations is difficult because there are no wharves or natural harbours; passengers and cargo are shuttled by barge between oceangoing vessels and a small artificial anchorage. Most regional and international travel is by air. Nauru’s sole airport is located in Yaren district. In 1970 the country launched its national airline and is currently owned by a government corporation.
Climate and Rainfall
The climate of Nauru can be described as a typical warm, tropical climate with two different seasons, Dry and Rainy seasons. The country has consistent monthly average temperatures throughout the year which are strongly tied to the surrounding ocean temperature. The wet season usually starts in November and continues to April of the next year, while drier conditions occur from May to October.
Soil
Nauru soils are generally poor and suffer major deficiencies of key elements (particularly nitrogen and potassium). Currently, however, agriculture and home gardening activities are still rather limited. Measures to alleviate these problems include education programs within schools to improve awareness of the necessity to produce local food, mobilization of community groups to train the families on food production activities, and the provision of propagation materials and tools for home garden activities. As the people of Nauru become aware of the need to improve their food security and nutrition status, agriculture is beginning to grow in importance as more people are now starting to plant crops.