Outer Islands Renewable Energy Project (OIREP) contributing to community resilience

During the week of 11th November 2019, Dr Keren Winterford (Research Team Leader) and Dani Alexander (Research Principal and Energy Specialist) spent five days in Tonga, accompanied by the Tongan consultant, Ms Sela Latailakepa. The focus of their time in Tonga was to capture insights about changes in community resilience to climate change and disasters in the community of Houma, 'Eua Island. 'Eua was in the direct path of Tropical Cyclone Gita, which struck in 2018.

DFAT is contributing funding to the ADB implemented Outer Islands Renewable Energy Project (OIREP) which upgraded the energy infrastructure in 'Eua to become cyclone-proof;, along with supporting the establishment of solar power. The research focused on the ways in which OIREP contributed to community resilience in Houma.

The research team firstly met with DFAT Post in Nuku’alofa, followed by meetings with the Implementing Partner of OIREP (ADB) and Pacific government partners from the Department of Energy (MEIDECC) and Tonga Power Limited (TPL).

The team travelled to ‘Eua on Tuesday 12 November and met with local government representatives. Consultations were held with community members in Houma, in the northern part of the island, until Friday 15th November.

Within the community, the research team undertook key informant interviews with men and women, people with disabilities, and a business owner to learn about experiences of climate change, resilience to extreme weather events and the upgrade to the power network. Focus group discussions were held separately with men and women. Male and female youth led a transect walk through the community, where they described the observable impacts from Tropical Cyclone Gita and changes weather seasons for growing crops. A community workshop ended the visit, allowing for shared sense-making of what was shared by members of Houma community, as well as confirmation of future visions for Houma community, recognising current climate change conditions.

"The town officer makes sure that everyone knows about severe weather events with the megaphone, although you may already have heard on the radio." Female shop owner, Houma village, 'Eua, Tonga

Given the focus of the DFAT investment (renewable energy, cyclone-proof infrastructure), the team also observed and documented the technical nature of the investment with photos, videos (in the community and at the TPL 'Eua power plant), and quantitative data describing the energy reliability improved by the investment.