About VREP I
Recognising that access to affordable, safe and reliable electricity in Vanuatu is a major development need for the country and with over 20,000 households, 200 aid posts and 2,000 not-for-profit community halls located in areas where access to grid electricity is uneconomic. The Vanuatu Rural Electrification Project (VREP) I is aimed at increasing access to basic lighting and phone charging capabilities using subsidised 5-watt and above ‘Plug and Play’ solar systems. Approved products are subsidised at 50% of their retail prices.
Subsidies for VREP I systems are only for those approved under Lighting Global Standards and submitted by approved vendors such as PCS. Products purchased under the subsidy provided by VREP I come with a warranty as a safeguard for any system failures. Disposal of batteries is currently managed through an Environmental Code of Practice (ECOP) developed for VREP.
Subsidies for VREP I systems are only for those approved under Lighting Global Standards and submitted by approved vendors such as PCS. Products purchased under the subsidy provided by VREP I come with a warranty as a safeguard for any system failures. Disposal of batteries is currently managed through an Environmental Code of Practice (ECOP) developed for VREP.
VREP 1 is funded through a grant of US$4.7m from the New Zealand Government through the Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility (PRIF). Management of the Project is through Vanuatu’s Department of Energy with implementation support from the World Bank. A Program Manager has been recruited by the Department of Energy to manage the Project on the Department’s behalf and supported by an Independent Verification Agent (IVA) funded through the Project. Other technical consultants are recruited on needs basis to support the implementation of the Project.
Click here to see VREP I products. |