PROJECTS

Energy Master Plan and Pohnpei Energy Assessment, Micronesia

The problem

Only 67 percent of residents in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have access to reliable electricity supply. The Micronesian federal government, governments of the four states and four state-level power utilities needed a plan to coordinate activities to achieve universal electrification and reach renewable energy targets. This was a challenge because the FSM is made up of 65 inhabited islands with a total population of less than 150,000 people spread over a vast Pacific territory. In addition, historical reliance on diesel generation left FSM exposed to high costs and fluctuating fuel prices.

How we helped

Castalia developed a Master Plan—a detailed technical, funding, financing, institutional and implementation plan to increase electricity access to 100 percent by 2025 and increase renewable energy from 9 percent to 79 percent in the next 20 years. We assessed the most efficient generation mix to serve forecast demand, given changing costs of emerging renewable technologies. We also used geospatial modeling to determine whether mini-grids or solar home systems are the best solution for each outer island.

Impact

The Master Plan was adopted by the government and the states and is being implemented with Castalia’s help. We are assisting FSM in assembling a financing package and proceeding with procurement of independent power producers.