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Workshop on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Guide for Rural Tourism Bungalows

November 14, Port Vila – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in partnership with Vanuatu’s Departments of Energy and Tourism conducted a consultation workshop for energy and tourism stakeholders on November 14 to develop a Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) guide for rural bungalows. This guide responds to the green growth policy objectives of the updated National Energy Road Map (NERM) 2016-2030, to promote the use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in Vanuatu’s main economic sectors, including agriculture, fisheries and tourism. The updated NERM sets a target of 25% of rural tourism bungalows to be using renewable forms of electricity by 2020 and 65% by 2030. This RE and EE guide is expected also to directly contribute to further strengthening of the rural Vanuatu tourism sector to achieve its eco-tourism objectives in that it responds to Vanuatu’s NDC to increase use of renewables in all sectors and reach 100% renewable electricity production by 2030, also mobilizing greener financial commitments towards a strong economic growth through the tourism sector.

In his opening remarks, the acting Director of Energy, Mr. David Gibson commended the partnership between the Department of Energy, the Department of Tourism and GGGI to be able to produce a guide which would be used by rural bungalow operators to operate and maintain their RE systems and apply EE practices to contribute towards Vanuatu’s sustainable energy targets in the Vanuatu National Sustainable Development Plan and the National Energy Road Map. He also acknowledged the presence of workshop participants and asked for productive deliberations that would contribute to this guide. The acting Director Gibson also acknowledged GGGI for funding the technical support towards development of this guide. The consultation workshop was attended by over 16 participants from the energy and tourism sectors.

Group picture of training participants

The RE and EE Guide is expected to be finalised before end of this year and is expected to be distributed to rural bungalows with the support of the Department of Tourism and the Vanuatu Skills Partnership. The Guide would also be a useful source of information for other small tourism businesses and rural businesses interested in using RE and EE. The concluding remarks was made by Mrs. Linda Sam from the Department of Tourism, who acknowledged contributions from the participating energy and tourism stakeholders and GGGI for the technical support. “The Guide will contribute towards achievement of the Department of Tourism eco-tourism objectives by assisting rural bungalow operators applying sustainable energy practices”, she said.

Training participants learn about electricity supply options for rural bungalows