PRIF Activities

ENERGY
The PRIF partners are working with other development partners and organisations in the region to provide support for increased and equitable access to reliable and affordable energy. This includes exploring options for extensions to existing networks and supporting off-grid solutions for local generation that can provide rural populations with reliable access to energy.
A number of energy initiatives are currently being coordinated through PRIF including the World Bank-led Energising the Pacific initiative which has established a forum for donor coordination for more effective programming of energy sector assistance in the Pacific. The ADB-led activity - Promoting Energy Efficiency in the Pacific (Phase II) - will be closely coordinated with Energising the Pacific and is designed to promote least-cost approaches to energy security through energy efficiency and conservation measures.
Through Energising the Pacific, PRIF partners are supporting the Government of Tonga to prepare the Tonga Energy Roadmap 2010-2020. This support will help identify options for the Government of Tonga to increase the proportion of its grid-based electricity supply from renewable energy sources. The Government is using the Roadmap to coordinate donor support and make better use of limited resources. The World Bank is also undertaking the Petroleum Supply Chain Study for Tonga and Micronesia which aims to develop a range of options for reducing Tonga and Micronesia’s vulnerability to petroleum price volatility by improving the efficiency of their fossil fuel supply chains and fuel pricing arrangements.
In Tuvalu, the New Zealand Aid Programme is establishing a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Unit (REEEU) within the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation (TEC) to help Tuvalu reduce its dependence on imported diesel, reduce carbon emissions, improve the efficiency of power generation and supply, increase the operational effectiveness of the TEC, and develop a plan for infrastructure development for greater use of solar and wind based energy generation.
In Solomon Islands, AusAID, the European Investment Bank (EIB), IFC and the World Bank are working together with the Solomon Islands Government in the preparation of the Tina River Hydro Project. The activity includes feasibility studies, capacity strengthening and transaction advisory services to develop a hydropower IPP (10-22 MW) to replace a significant share of the diesel-powered generation in Honiara.
In Vanuatu, AusAID and the World Bank are supporting a Utilities Regulatory Authority which aims to ensure the provision of safe, reliable and affordable regulated energy services. They are also working with the Government of Vanuatu to prepare an Energy Roadmap and are currently coordinating with the Vanuatu Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Lands and Energy to support the overall planning and implementation of the Energy Roadmap for a least-cost program of grid and off-grid access expansion. The World Bank is also leading projects to develop a range of options for reducing Vanuatu's vulnerability to petroleum price volatility, by improving the efficiency of its fossil fuel supply chain and its fuel pricing arrangements as well as explore geothermal power development for a domestic renewable energy source which can stengthen the electricity transmission and distribution network.
Links to abovementioned activities (where available):

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

PRIF is working with Pacific island countries to build on existing good work in telecommunications across the Pacific. The World Bank is leading assistance in the telecommunications sector through the Pacific Regional Telecommunications Regulatory Resource Centre and the Pacific Regional Connectivity Project which includes detailed assessments of potential connectivity options to strengthen the communications backbone of the Pacific region including satellite or submarine cable options.
In Kiribati, the World Bank is leading advisory assistance to the government on telecoms policy and regulation and the transition to a new market structure. In Solomon Islands, the World Bank is leading a program of support to the telecommunications sector through the Solomon Islands Telecommunications and ICT Development Project, implemented by the telecommunications commission. This project provides technical assistance for sector policy including regulatory reforms and the design of a universal access program. One local cocoa exporter has indicated that increased competition has resulted in his ability to have regular contact with 70-80 percent of his plantation farmers compared with only 40 percent previously.
Links to abovementioned activities (where available):
TRANSPORT
PRIF is involved in a number of long-term transport infrastructure investments in the Pacific. In Solomon Islands PRIF partners are supporting a large portfolio of long term transport sector activities which have let contracts for the maintenance of over 140km of roads across 3 provinces, and have started significant rehabilitation of bridges following flooding in 2009 and 2010. The PRIF partners are supporting an ADB-led Transport Sector Development Project to better align their assistance on a comprehensive sector basis. Assistance is focused on rehabilitating and improving maintenance of high-priority sections of the transport network and helping to ensure accessibility to the high proportion of the population without reliable transport. It will also include a greater focus on building domestic private sector capacity to undertake maintenance and rehabilitation. The ADB-led Road Improvement Project which has now moved into its' Second phase, amongst other work focuses on replacing and upgrading about 30 water corssings, building around 20 km of roads and associated bridge approaches, and relocating roads for climate change adaptation.
In Vanuatu, AusAID is leading the Vanuatu Transport Sector Support Program. This program is working with the Government to strengthen systems to finance and manage infrastructure works and ensure a more reliable and maintained transport system. The program will also enhance local employment opportunities for men and women through the use of labour-based appropriate technology.
In Samoa, PRIF partners helped respond to the 2009 earthquake and tsunami through the rehabilitation of more than 30km of roads and 6km of damaged seawalls. Phase 2 of the World Bank-led Samoa Infrastructure Asset Management (SIAM) Project is supported by PRIF and involves investment in infrastructure and management systems to increase the sustainability and resilience of communities to natural disasters.
In Tonga the World Bank is leading a long-term program of support to the transport sector through the Tonga Transport Consolidation Project which is improving policy, planning and regulation across land, air and sea transport. The project works with the Government of Tonga to establish a sustainable transport sector policy, planning and legislative framework and prepare sustainable investment plans for the maritime, aviation and road sectors.
Links to abovementioned activities (where available):
WATER, SANITATION, AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
The water, sanitation and solid waste management sub- sectors are an area of particular interest for PRIF. Increasing levels of support will be required to assist Pacific island countries achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving the number of people without access to safe drinking water by 2015. PRIF partners are providing support for water and sanitation by building on and improving sectoral support in urban areas of Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
In Kiribati, the New Zealand Aid Programme is leading the Kiribati Urban Development Programme which aims to develop a sector-wide model for urban management that suits Kiribati's specific context. This activity provides a range of assistance, particularly in the water and sanitation sub-sector and PRIF is supporting components of the programme which increase access to clean water and appropriate sanitation for the villages of Betio and Bairki, and provide climate proofing and off-site infrastructure for developments in Temaiku. PRIF is also supporting the preparation of the ADB-led Tarawa Sanitation Improvement Project. The project will contribute to the health of South Tarawa's population through enhanced access to improved sanitation infrastructure and services. Following the water sector workshop, convened by the Government of Kiribati in early November 2010, the design of this project was refined and technical assistance activities began in January 2011. The project contains several components including improving sanitation and hygiene practices among South Tarawa's population, effectively collecting, treating and disposing of wastewater, enhancing the efficiency of the Public Utilities Board, and supporting sanitation infrastructure maintenance.
Also in Kiribati, PRIF is supporting the development of the World Bank-led Kiribati Adaptation Program (phase III) which seeks to strengthen Kiribati's ability to provide people with safe water and maintain resilient coastal infrastructure in the face of climate change.
In Samoa, the EC is providing Water and Sanitation Sector Policy Budget Suport and is working to increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation services.
In Solomon Islands, AusAID is developing the Access to Clean Water and Sanitation Initative program which aims to improve the coverage of access to clean water, sanitation and hygience across communities in Solomon Islands.
In Vanuatu, ADB is leading the preparation of the Port Vila Urban Development Project aimed at providing affordable, sustainable, and effective drainage and sanitation services to residents of Port Vila and surrounding areas, including those living in informal settlements. The project will support the Government of Vanuatu in providing effective storm water drainage services, improved hygience facilities, and climate resilient and sustainable urban development.
Links to abovementioned activities (where available):

 

Asian Development Bank AusAid  European union New Zealand Aid World Bank Group

 

PRIF in action

 
 Building and maintaining roads


Constructing bridges


Securing clean water supplies


Supporting sustainable energy

 

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