Paths of renewable energy development in small island developing states of the South Pacific

Abstract Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) are small and remote island economies highly reliant on fossil fuels. Although they are mainly self-governing nations, they are highly vulnerable to exogenous events such as global fuel price volatility and tropical cyclones. The work presented here targets 12 PSIDS located in the South Pacific. The analysis takes a functional approach to assess the state of the energy governance system and to determine its relationship to renewable energy (RE) penetration. Using a suite of governance, market and financial progress indicators, a range of RE preparedness levels was identified in PSIDS. Analysis demonstrated that strengthening of RE enabling indicators led to only a limited increase of RE penetration; consequently, the region has fallen behind global rates of RE uptake. Inward investment by development partners for RE demonstration projects failed to be upscaled by government-facilitated private sector. The focus on mitigating global climate change has failed to put RE into a local context; this contrasts to the strong “sense of place” and spiritual-nature of traditional Pacific communities. Thus, in energy terms, PSIDS are yet to attain a self-defined energy identity.