- Wind assessment carried out on Tongatapu by the University of the South Pacific.
- Forum for Energy and Development (FED) and the Government of Denmark supported a pre-feasibility study including a wind resource assessment for Tongapatu. Both of reports are attached below.
A study funded by the Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum (an inter-governmental organisation that aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific region) using a 30-metre wind measurement mast was carried out from 1995–1997.
No systematic wind resource measurements have been carried out in Palau over the years, though they are being planned. Based on measurements made for climate records, it appears unlikely that wind energy can be a significant resource for power generation. However, since wind power is very site-specific, proper assessment is needed. Wind energy measurements using well instrumented 30-metre masts are planned to commence in 2013 and a proper wind map of the main islands should be available by 2015. Source: IRENA Country Lighthouse Report
- Nauru’s wind resource is not well known although, based on airport and National Aeronautics and Space Administration wind data, it is probably only marginally cost-effective at present fuel prices.
There is a moderate seasonal wind resource in the RMI, with perhaps sufficient wind for energy development in the northernmost islands. However, there is very little data on wind conditions and none specifically designed for assessing its energy potential. It would be worthwhile assessing the wind energy potential for Majuro and Ebeye, where power demands are high. In 2012, two 34-metre wind resource assessment masts were installed in the outer islands to monitor and collect wind data. Source: IRENA Country Lighthouse Report
A recently completed wind survey indicates that the windward side of Kiritimati Island has sufficient wind resource to provide cost-effective generation. One of the main issues is connecting together the small grids on the north-west cluster of settlements and also interconnecting the north-east settlement cluster separately. Each can be considered for wind power integration into the two resulting grids.
A limited wind resource assessment has been carried out in Yap and sufficiently high wind areas have been located on the main island that may allow cost effective power generation. Detailed assessments were planned for 2013 at two high-wind sites, one close to Colonia, Yap, and the other at Tonowas, in Chuuk. The resource in these areas is seasonal and, based on weather measurements, appears modest, but there may be areas of sufficient wind to support a cost-effective installation. Source: IRENA Country Lighthouse Report.
There is very limited data on wind energy potential in Vanuatu. A Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat project monitored wind speeds at a site on Efate in the mid-1990s, finding average speeds of 5.0 m/s in 1995 and 4.2 m/s in 1996, well below the 6 m/s generally considered to be necessary for economic electricity production. However, only 63% of data was recovered in 1996, so these results should be treated with caution.
No accurate data are available on the Solomon Islands wind energy potential. Wind monitoring information can be sourced from:
Eight sites in Fiji have been collecting long-term wind data with mast heights varying from 10 to 48 metres (m). Ideal wind energy measurements are made at a minimum of 30 m, although 50 m is preferred. Future wind measurement installations are to be all at 50 m. So far, measurements near the grid indicate that Fiji’s wind speeds offer marginal benefits for energy generation compared to the FEA’s historical generation costs. Some sites should be cost-effective for wind power installations given the FEA’s marginal costs for investments in new diesel generators.
- PIGGAREP financed wind resources monitoring underway for Upolu and Savaii and resource assessment undertaken for Upolu.
- EPC is conducting an ongoing assessment of Samoa’s wind energy potential. Masts for 10 metre and 30 metre measurements were installed at the Afuilo hydro site and at Aleipata on the coast.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s wind and solar monitoring project is the main long-term data source for Rarotonga wind energy and is used to estimate wind regimes of other islands. At Ngatangila Point, Rarotonga, wind data recovery was 100% during two years of monitoring. The annual average wind speed was 5.5 m/s. The highest hourly and daily averages were 17.7 m/s and 14.0 m/s respectively.
FSM solar data is available for download from the IRENA Global Atlas for Renewable Energy at the following links below:
The PNG wind dataset is extracted from the 3TIER Global Wind Dataset, IRENA Global Atlas for Renewable Energy.
3TIER Global Wind Dataset can be downloaded from this link: https://irena.masdar.ac.ae/?map=324
Wind demonstration on Guam wind speeds. Data were collected from January 1982 through February 1983 at Bubulao, Guam.
Details of various solar installation in Niue. Captures the estimated annual kWh, percentage of total daytime electricity production, type of funding and funding source.
NPC load data on a typical weekday, and weekends. Data provided by Herb Wade, sourced from the Niue Power Corporation.
Samoa resource data (including solar), taken via drones in Upolu (Aleipata coast & Afulilo mountain).
Dataset captures 2008 - 2012 monthly solar production data for the Nauru College installation by the REP5 Project (EDF 9).
Dataset captures 2008 - 2012 monthly solar production data for the Nauru College installation by the REP5 Project (EDF 9).