The tiny Pacific Island country of Niue, home to about 1,800 people, faces significant challenges in its energy sector. Heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, Niue’s power system is vulnerable to disruptions and outages. Compounding the problem, aging infrastructure, limited local expertise, and inadequate maintenance have left the system struggling with reliability and efficiency. While Niue has some solar and battery storage, its diesel-fueled power system remains under pressure.  

The Niue Power Corporation (NPC), which manages the entire power supply chain, operates with limited capacity. Without comprehensive asset management plans, reliable planning tools, or clear operations and maintenance strategies, NPC finds it difficult to ensure a stable power supply. Equipment for maintenance and emergency repairs is scarce, and staff technical expertise is limited. Gender imbalance adds another layer of challenge as women are significantly underrepresented in technical roles within the energy sector.

In 2024, ADB initiated a program to help Niue build climate adaptation and disaster resilience by strengthening its energy sector.  Funded by the ADB-managed Ireland Trust Fund for Building Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Small Island Developing States, the program aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of Niue’s power network while advancing its renewable energy ambitions. 

Currently, renewable sources account for about 30% of Niue’s energy mix. With this program, Niue is working hard toward its goal of 80% renewable energy by 2025. Boosting NPC’s capabilities is a critical part of this effort. 

The NPC’s capacity will be strengthened by developing a life cycle asset management system, including an asset register with a robust operations and maintenance strategy. New data collection tools will enable better measurement and monitoring, improving the reliability of the power system. Mentorship and training of NPC staff will build expertise in strategic planning, decision-making, financial management, regulatory compliance, and overall operational efficiency. A review of the tariff structure review will further support NPC’s financial stability. 

Workforce development is also a priority. A gender-inclusive internship program targeting local students, particularly women, will provide hands-on training in areas like solar photovoltaic (PV) maintenance and billing. A gender assessment of the renewable energy subsector will be conducted, including an institutional gender capacity assessment of the NPC, a skills gap analysis, and recommendations for gender-responsive projects and policies. These initiatives will create a more diverse workforce, enhance the sustainability of energy projects, and support long-term social and economic development in Niue. 

Infrastructure upgrades to match these capacity building exercises are also forthcoming. Niue will reinforce its 11-kilovolt network and install an additional 2.8 megawatt-peaks of solar PV capacity and 7.0 megawatt-hours of solar power battery storage. The Government of New Zealand, through the New Zealand International Development Cooperation, is financing the upgrades that will make the reinforced infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events while increasing the renewable energy capacity. New Zealand is one of Niue’s longest development partners and is supporting the island country in achieving its global climate change commitments.

For the people of Niue, having reliable and sustainable power is key to their future.  ADB, together with Ireland, New Zealand, and a host of development partners, is helping Niue embrace clean renewable solutions and strengthen its resilience to climate and disaster risks.  

“Improving the efficiency and reliability of Niue’s power network will enhance its resilience against extreme weather events, reducing outages and ensuring the continuous operation of critical services such as government operations, health care, and emergency response efforts. The transformation of the Niue Power Corporation will improve service delivery, enabling greater integration of renewable energy and also opening opportunities for women.,” said Au Minh Tuan, ADB energy specialist and project officer.