Port Vila, 30 September 2022. The validation workshop for the National Energy Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan (NEESAP) was held today bringing together over 25 participants from across key senior stakeholders from the government departments, development partners, the Utilities Regulatory Authority, the importers, wholesalers and retailers of electrical equipment, lighting products and appliances in Vanuatu.
Speaking at the opening of the validation workshop, Mr Antony Garae, Director of Energy and Acting Director General of the Ministry of Climate Change emphasized the importance of tackling the issue of energy security in Vanuatu. “We have to be proactive in addressing the ever-increasing fuel prices because it directly contributes to the high price of goods and services including transport. The NEESAP document which we are here to validate has 8 years to implement and aligns well with the National Energy Roadmap, the National Sustainable Development Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
The NEESAP was developed with support from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) through funding under the Green Climate Fund’s Readiness program. The Plan highlights twelve (12) strategies to enhance energy efficiency in Vanuatu. It has in it the Theory of Change (TOC), the Financial and Resource Planning Framework and the Monitoring and Results Framework.
Mr Garae further encouraged the stakeholder present to critically comment and validate the NEESAP document to ensure that it has the SMARTER solutions for energy security in Vanuatu. The overall goal is to achieve 15% savings in the energy sector equivalent to 30ktCO2e/year by pursuing EE measures.
At the workshop, stakeholders embraced the need for Vanuatu to have the NEESAP endorsed and implemented by the relevant Government agencies. One of the stakeholders raised concern on tighter physical inspection carried out by the boarder control officers the need for tighter and stronger penalties such as conviction penalties to be imposed on importers who break the law.
The workshop concluded successfully by lunch time as the afternoon was declared public holiday in preparation for the MSG soccer finals. All comments and feedbacks were taken on board to finalize the NEESAP and EEEAR documents.
The NEESAP and the EEESAP document would be later (before December) submitted to the Council of Minister’s for final endorsement.
