Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced grant funding for a feasibility study to increase renewable power generation and strengthen the efficiency and resiliency of the Kingdom of Tonga’s energy infrastructure. USTDA’s local partner for the project is state-owned Tonga Power Limited (TPL), the country’s sole electricity provider. TPL selected New York-based GridMarket, LLC to carry out the study. USTDA made the announcement at the EarthX Island Resilience Forum in Dallas, TX.

“USTDA is committed to delivering prosperity and energy security across the Pacific Islands. We are delighted to launch our program in the Kingdom of Tonga and look forward to further expansion of our program across the region,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Director. “This project will facilitate partnerships with U.S. industry and have a transformative impact on Tonga’s power sector, its climate resiliency, and the daily lives of Tongan citizens.”

“The awarded grant will accelerate technical, regulatory and financial development work, creating the foundation for renewable energy installations,” said Hon. Poasi Matele Tei, Hon. Acting Prime Minister of Tonga and Minister of Energy, Environment, Information and Climate Change. “We do not have any time to waste. Climate change is here and is being felt across the Pacific and around the world. Tonga is setting up the transformation of our energy future and we are committed to being a renewable energy leader in the Pacific.”

USTDA’s study will analyze the feasibility of a variety of distributed energy resources and infrastructure solutions to enhance energy security, promote economic development and enable a better standard of living in Tonga by providing reliable and competitively priced energy, and reducing the impacts of carbon-based energy production. 

This activity advances the goals of USTDA’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure, which connects U.S. industry to major clean transport and energy infrastructure projects in emerging markets, and the goals of the Biden administration’s Small and Less Populous Island Economies Initiative, which supports economic cooperation and sustainable energy development in island countries and territories.

###

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies.  USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357