1. IPS 2016 Pacific Panel Session
Pacific Panellists:
Andrew Daka | PPA
Francisco Gafaro |IRENA
Sohail Hasnie | ADB
Tama Heather | Te Aponga Uira
Sidney Kilmete | PUC
Hemant Kumar | Solomon Power
Mark Waite | CPUC
2. Introduction
• History of utility:
The Pohnpei system has a peak load of 6MW, served by a diesel fleet with a combined available capacity of 5850 kW
( of 14.5 MW nominally installed), 725 kW of run-of-river hydro, and 980 kW of grid-connected solar PV, including 600
kWp at the Pohnlangas solar farm
• Recent Pacific RE integration projects;
1. In March 2016, with a grant from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 600kWp of solar PV was
commissioned & integrated into PUC’s system
2. EU-SPC, North Rep 725kW Hydro electric Power plant rehabilitation. Oct 2014.
3. PEC Fund Projects – Nett Elementary School (200kW) – Commissioned 2014.
4.JICA Project – COMFSM (160kW) & FSM President’s office (20kW) – commissioned Dec 2012
• Future Pacific RE integration road maps;
PUC is currently seeking grant and low interest loans for a 9MW solar and 5.5 MW hydro electric to meet
our goal of 100% renewable in 5 years.
In line with national energy targets and in support of improved reliability and cost reduction objectives,
PUC’s board adopted a vision & mission statement in August 2015 that calls for the development of 9
MW of solar PV and 5.5MW of hydroelectric capacity to reliably serve its 7000 customers w/reduced
power generation costs while reducing PUC’s exposure high-fuel price volatility. [
• Acknowledge important partners and stakeholders.
UAE, SPC, EU, FSM Government, State Government, US GovernmentChina Government & JICA
3. Energy Issues
current energy issues relevant to the Pacific:
•What isn’t working;
- service and maintenance of diesel generator is difficult. Load shedding has to be conducted
due to unavailability of power source. Hydro penetration is low (725kW Capacity). Actual is:
200-300 kW.
•Why it isn’t working;
1. Solar works on day time & hydro works only when enough water is available
•Mistakes to avoid going forward;
PUC has obtained a 50-year lease 100 acres of former agriculture land from Pohnpei
State for the development of solar farm. And 2 sites will be developed for hydro:
Lehnmesi (4.5MW) and Nankawad (1 MW)
•Which technologies or processes present barriers;
•Which technologies or processes present solutions;
1. Construct a 5.5MW of hydroelectric capacity at Lehnmesi (4.5MW)
and Nankawad (1MW) to serve as base load.
4. Renewable Energy Integration Success Stories
Introduction to any achievements in RE integration, cover:
•What worked;
- 980kW total solar-grid connected system installed at Pohnlangas, Nett School & Palikir
- 725 KW total Hydro electrical Plant installed at Nanpil Hydro (only runs during high water flow)
•Why it worked;
- RE integration help support a reduction of PUC’s reliance on diesel generation and system stability.
•How it works;
-All RE sources were connected to PUC main grid and are operated and maintained by PUC
- Improve reliability and fuel cost reduction
•Which technologies were critical in the success
- System is a grid tied. Future plans to include enabling technologies to stabilize.
-Only monitoring and dispatching to main power plant.
•Important partners and stakeholders.
-National and State Government, Utility Owner, Funding Agencies, Communities
