How will ADB support the Nauru solar power development project?

ADB also provided GoN support to prepare a Feasibility Study for the recommended Nauru Solar Power Development Project which will comprise of a 6 megawatt PV plant coupled with a 5 megawatt / 2.5 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system coupled with a SCADA installation.

Who will implement solar project in Nauru?

The executing agency will be the Department of Finance and Sustainable Development. The implementing agency for solar component of project will be the Nauru Utilities Corporation (NUC). NUC will establish a project management unit within their existing organisational structure to implement the project.

What is a Nauru power expansion plan?

The electrical network comprises 11kV, 3.3KV and LV overhead lines. Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided Government of Nauru (GoN) a transactional technical assistance TRTA to prepare a Nauru power expansion plan. The plan identified that a PV array and battery energy storage system should be constructed.

How does Nauru get its energy?

Nauru predominantly sources its energy through diesel power generators. About 5% of its current energy demand is sourced from renewable energy, of which all is from solar power photovoltaic (PV) installations. A 500-kW ground-mounted solar installation was commissioned in 2016, and a number of residences have rooftop solar PV installations.

How will Nauru Utilities Corporation benefit from project preparatory technical assistance?

The project will also support the institutional strengthening of Nauru Utilities Corporation. Project preparatory technical assistance was used to carry out project-enabling activities such as a Solar Power Expansion Plan for Nauru, project feasibility study, detailed design, and plant procurement contract bidding documents.

How will Nauru's solar power system work?

The system will be fully integrated and automated with the existing diesel generation (17.9 MW installed capacity currently manually operated) to optimize solar energy use, to enable optimal BESS charging/discharging and to provide optimal shut off of the diesel engines. This will reduce Nauru’s over reliance on diesel for power generation.