As stated by the ADB, the proposed TA aims to help accelerate energy transition in ADB's developing member countries (DMCs) in the South Pacific, covered under its Pacific Subregional Office (SPSO), including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu, while enhancing energy security, improving supply reliability, and supporting long-term sustainability. It will help develop a project pipeline, enhance institutional and organizational capacity, provide policy advisory, and facilitate regional knowledge exchange for these South Pacific DMCs.

The proposed TA aligns with ADB's current and forthcoming Pacific Approach, and the priorities identified in the Strategy 2030 Midterm Review. It focuses on:

(i) decentralizing operations to the field, with enhanced capacity to support the South Pacific DMCs in strengthening agility and responsiveness to their needs;
(ii) providing integrated and seamless support across the entire project cycle, from upstream to downstream activities;
(iii) fostering private sector development, which requires additional knowledge and skills to effectively engage a wider range of stakeholders; and
(iv) adopting a tailored approach that customizes support to the country context while leveraging cooperation and collaboration within the South Pacific subregion.

The proposed TA complements earlier initiatives by expanding coverage to all South Pacific DMCs and ensuring regional sharing of lessons and best practices. It further adds value through establishing a platform for policy dialogue, technical exchange, and coordinated management of end-of-life renewable energy assets-- an emerging priority not addressed by previous TAs.

PROJECT RATIONALE AND LINKAGE TO COUNTRY/REGIONAL STRATEGY

Most South Pacific DMCs have set ambitious targets to achieve near 100% renewable energy penetration within the next 5-10 years, and have demonstrated a clear policy vision and efforts to increase the use of renewable energy sources. However, actual progress remains slow and uneven due to persistent systemic challenges in the countries across the region. These include limited technical capacity, financial constraints, and insufficient institutional readiness. Imported fuels still account for over 80% of the region's energy supply in the countries including the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tonga.

Despite a growing shift to scale up renewables, major bottlenecks continue to hinder progress. Financially unsound utilities, underdeveloped regulatory frameworks, and limited project preparation capacity are major impediments which delay investment and infrastructure deployment. At the same time, developing climate-resilient and inclusive energy systems is urgently needed in response to acute vulnerability to climate change. However, while the transition to renewable energy enhances resilience and strengthens long-term energy security, it also gives rise to emerging policy and operational challenges-- most notably the environmentally sound and sustainable management of end-of-life renewable energy assets.

Energy poverty disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly in remote and rural areas, where limited access to clean and affordable energy restricts opportunities for education, health, livelihoods, and safety. Gender disparity in the energy sector remains. The average share of female employees stands at 18.5% in power utilities in the Pacific, which is below the global average of 20%. Women's underrepresentation in energy sector decision-making, technical roles, and policy development, limits the sector's ability to respond to diverse needs and perspectives.

To address these challenges, the proposed TA will establish a coordinated, gender-responsive platform to enhance institutional capacity, improve project readiness, and support energy policy and regulatory reforms to ensure energy transition benefits all segments of society equitably. It will also facilitate cross-country learning, align energy policies and standards, and strengthen development partner coordination to maximize synergies and reduce fragmentation. The proposed TA will promote regional cooperation and integration (RCI) through building individual countries' capacity and collaborating with regional organizations, thereby enhancing the overall capacity of the South Pacific subregion.

ADB is well-placed to lead this initiative, given its long-standing presence and active engagement in the energy sector in the South Pacific subregion. Building on its analytical expertise and leadership in regional energy programs, including its support for the Organization of Pacific Electricity Regulators Association and Pacific Power Association, ADB can provide a robust foundation for advancing knowledge sharing, capacity development, as well as promoting gender equality and regional cooperation under this TA.

The TA is aligned with a ccelerating energy transition and strengthening energy security and sustainability in the South Pacific subregion, consistent with ADB's Climate Change Action Plan

ADB Team Leader:

Tuan Minh Au
Email: tuanam@adb.org 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

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ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main.