Even before Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu it was a member’s brainchild to improve the living conditions for the poorest and most isolated people living in Vanuatu by providing solar power for their households.

Rob Taber from New England Solar Power could not forget the living circumstances of some people when he went to visit the island. One of Vanuatu’s main economies is agriculture, used for consumption as well as export. It provides a living for 65% of the population. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters and long distances between constituent islands and from main markets.

Since a private monopoly generates power, “electricity costs are among the highest in the Pacific” among developing countries.

National SEIA unanimously voted to bring this project to live and now appeals to all solar businesses to commit to donate your redundant stock or even tested and fully operational second hand equipment to build and install stand-alone solar systems. PV modules, batteries, regulators, chargers, just let us know what you can donate. If you wish to donate cash instead, again, please let us know.

We are currently organising a central storage point, and once it has been confirmed we will get back to everyone who has offered to donate some items.

Help us to help the people of Vanuatu, contact

admin@seia.org.au

Thank you, we are looking forward to hearing from you.