Projects

SOUTH TARAWA RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT (STREP)

PROJECT EXECUTING AGENCY: Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED)

PROJECT IMPLEMENTING AGENCY: Public Utilities Board (PUB)

PROJECT BACKGROUND.

The South Tarawa Renewable Energy Project (STREP), ADB’s first in Kiribati’s energy sector, will finance climate-resilient solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, a battery energy storage system (BESS), and will support institutional capacity building including the development of an inclusive and gender-sensitive renewable energy enabling framework while addressing barriers to private sector investment. The project will help South Tarawa increase renewable energy grid penetration from 9% to 44%, thereby exceeding the government target for South Tarawa of 36% renewable energy penetration by 2025. Increased solar generation will benefit the economy through reduced importation of fossil fuels and placing downward pressure on tariffs. Utilization of renewable energy also reduces GHG emissions which contribute to global warming and rising sea levels that render Kiribati among the most vulnerable.

The project is designed considering ongoing energy sector initiatives and capacity building programs for Kiribati. The South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) funded by ADB, the World Bank and the Green Climate Fund, will install a reverse osmosis desalination plant with a renewable energy offset. The project’s solar photovoltaic and battery system component will be installed on the Bonriki water reserve. In addition, MFAT is financing a comprehensive capacity building program for PUB, including installation of a diesel generator as well as fiber optic cables to extend the current connection to Bonriki and enhance the operational efficiency of PUB. To achieve economies of scale and process efficiency, the solar and battery systems of STREP and STWSP will be procured as one package, thereby achieving economies scale and ensuring compatibility of system design and operation and single responsibility. An operation and maintenance services contract will also be procured to guarantee performance and

ensure full capacity building of PUB prior to handover. The implementation schedule is also aligned with the planned enhancements to the South Tarawa grid funded by MFAT.

The project is estimated to cost $14.7 million, comprising of ADB Grant of $8.0 million from ADB’s Special Funds resources (Asian Development Fund – ADF), $2.0 million provided by the Government of New Zealand through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), $3.7 million from the Strategic Climate Fund and the Kiribati government contribution of $1million.

PROJECT GOAL.

To assist the Government of Kiribati, achieve its vision for 2020 and the Government’s Integrated Energy Roadmap 2017 – 2025
To replace fossil fuels with renewables and achieve energy efficiency

PROJECT OBJECTIVE.

To Increase generation and utilization of clean energy and to increase access to a reliable supply of affordable electricity for the residents of South Tarawa.

PROJECT BENEFITS.

Better access to steady electricity for all
Offsetting diesel fuel costs
Less pollution
More robust sustainable system
Upskilled I-Kiribati
Employment and income generating opportunities

PROJECT OUTPUTS

Output 1: Solar photovoltaic and BESS installed.

Installation of 4 Mega Watt (MW)/ 5MW peak climate-resilient, ground-mounted solar photovoltaic capacity and 5 MW/13 MWh of BESS, including related grid integration and control systems, on the Bonriki Water Reserve in South Tarawa.

Output 2: Draft energy act to enable increased deployment of renewable energy developed.

Developing a gender-sensitive draft energy act incorporating provisions to establish clear energy sector institutional responsibilities, modernize existing law, enhance renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency, develop and improve regulations (including grid code and standards), encourage private sector investments, and reform tariffs for submission by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy to Parliament, following approval by the Office of the Attorney-General and the Cabinet.

Output 3: Institutional capacity for inclusive renewable energy project development and implementation enhanced.

Institutional capacity building for the project executing and implementing agencies and other stakeholders on project management and supervision, and operation and maintenance (O&M) of renewable energy generation assets.

PROJECT SAFEGUARDS AND GENDER

The project is not expected to target or impact distinct and vulnerable groups of Indigenous Peoples, as defined by ADB’s safeguard policies (SPS, 2009). Under ADB SPS requirements, an Initial Environmental Examination and Resettlement Plan documents were prepared for the Project and disclosed on ADB’s website. The project is categorized Effective Gender Mainstreaming and a Gender Action Plan (GAP) has been prepared. The PMU will manage and supervise the GAP implementation. A Grievance Redress Mechanism is also developed to address complaints from any person who is affected by the project.

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE): This is the assessment that outlines potential environmental and social impacts of the project with proposed environmental and social management plans (ESMP). The IEE has been developed according to the ADB SPS 2009 and Kiribati environment safeguard requirements under the Environment Act 2007. The assessment has been approved by Ministry of Environment and Lands Agriculture Development (MELAD) with conditions prescribed under the project Environment Licence. For a copy of the IEE report, please Click Here.

Resettlement Plan (RP): The RP has been prepared to address potential impacts on land and/or assets associated with the installation of the physical investments for solar power generation and storage in the Bonriki Water Reserve. The Resettlement Plan includes mitigating measures to address impacts from the STREP such as Compensations for trees/Crops lost during the project period and the Enrichment Tree Planting Programme (ETPP). For a copy of the draft RP report, please Click Here.
Gender Action Plan (GAP): The main aim and focus of the GAP is to mainstream gender in all aspects of the project, raise awareness on gender and increase the participation of women in all aspects of the STREP. A Gender Monitoring Action Plan Report Template has been developed and will be used to report on GAD activities every quarter. For a copy of the GAP, please Click Here
Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM): The project GRM will respond to matters related to project design, construction, and operation. From a safeguard perspective, members of the public may perceive risks to themselves or their property or have concerns about the environmental performance of the project. These issues may relate to construction and operation or to ownership of project affected assets and eligibility for compensation. Aggrieved persons are encouraged to file complaints with the Project Management Unit (PMU) at PUB office Betio or via contacts details below, to enable concerns to be addressed promptly and sensitively, and without retribution. Please refer to the GRM process described in the IEE and RP reports.

Contact Us:

PUB CEO	Project Manager	Project Accountant	Environmental Safeguards	Gender and Social Safeguards
James Young	Tiaon Aukitino	Teuee Kietau	Taobiina Batiata Birati	Anne Kautu
Ph: 75125201	Ph: 73048301	Ph: 73045381	Ph: 73029856	Ph: 73050395
E: ceopubjry@gmail.com	E: aukitino@gmail.com	E: neiueenimarawa@gmail.com	E: taobiinabirati@gmail.com	E: annemarie.kautu@gmail.com

Project News

DISCLOSURE OF THE INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE)

STREP conducted an IEE public exhibition and consultation jointly with the South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) Solar PV Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment (ESIA) commencing on 26^th July and ended on 19^th August as PUB prepare for development of a large scale renewable energy power generation system to be installed on the Bonriki water reserve. The final IEE report has been accepted by MELAD on the 16^th of September 2021.

Inception workshops

A 4 day Inception workshop was held from 31 August- 3^rd September 2021 at the MISE Boardroom. The main objective for the workshop was to build capacity of the Project Stakeholders on the Financial, Environment and Social Safeguards and Gender aspects of the Project. Participants included reps from MISE, MFED, PUB and other key line Ministries

South Tarawa Renewable Energy Project (STREP) Resettlement Plan Disclosure

STREP Resettlement Plan Disclosure The South Tarawa Renewable Energy Project (STREP) Resettlement Plan has now been finalized and now being disclosed to the public. The Resettlement Plan (RP) is a social safeguard document that contains the policies and guidelines and time-bound action plan with budget, setting out the resettlement objectives and strategies, entitlements, activities and responsibilities, resettlement monitoring, and resettlement evaluation. This Resettlement Plan has been prepared to address potential impacts on land and/or assets associated with the installation of the physical investments for solar power generation and storage in the Bonriki Water Reserve.

The Resettlement Plan complies with ADB SPS Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 and Kiribati national laws and regulations. Activities covered under the RP include; the Enrichment Tree Planting Programme (ETPP), Assistance for Affected Persons which include Compensation for trees removed for the project and the Grievance Redress mechanism.

Please click hereto access the Resettlement Plan (RP).

For all comments and enquiries regarding the RP, please contact:
Project Manager, Tiaon Aukitino: aukitino@gmail.com 73024634
Gender and Social Safeguards Officer, Anne Kautu: annemarie.kautu@gmail.com 73050395
Environmental Safeguards Officer, Taobiina Birati: taobiinabirati@gmail.com 73058461

DISCLOSURE OF THE STREP and STWSP RESETTLEMENT PLANS

The disclosure of the Resettlement Plans for the South Tarawa Renewable Energy Project (STREP)and South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) were conducted in Bonriki on 31^st May and 2^nd June 2022. The consultations were the combined efforts of the two project teams. Two consultations were held at the main Church Maneabas in Bonriki Village on the 31^st May at the KUC Maneaba in the morning and at the Catholic Maneaba in the afternoon. The last consultation was held at a Catholic maneaba at Te Kawai ae Boou on the 2^nd June 2022.

The three consultations were attended by landowners and people living around the STREP and STWSP sites in Bonriki. The main purpose of the consultations was to update and raise awareness on the projects progress and disclose the two Resettlement Plans. The facilitation team for the 3 days consisted of staff from STWSP, STREP and MISE and led by STREP Project Manager, Tiaon Aukitino and STWSP Deputy Manager, Ioataake Timeon.

RP Consultation 1: KUC Maneaba Bonriki Village, 31^st May 2022 10.00am -12.00pm