- green-spots
- energy
- New Caledonia
- Prony wind power, New Caledonia
Problems
Islands of the Pacific Ocean, like New Caledonia, face severe environmental and socioeconomic pressures exacerbated by climate change. Pacific Island nations are already severely affected by extreme weather, and their inhabitants are amongst the world’s most vulnerable communities to the growing effects of climate change. Yet in New Caledonia, fossil fuel power plants still meet 80% of energy demands. Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), small island developing states are recognized as being particularly vulnerable to climate change. Unfortunately, there are only a few Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) activities in the Pacific region. Therefore, the development of this first Gold Standard Verified Emission Reduction (VER) project activity has to be seen as a strong positive signal for future emission reduction projects in this region.
Solutions
How Prony wind farms are reducing New Caledonia dependency on fossil fuels
Author: Trace
The Prony Wind Power project was commissioned as part of a renewable energy development plan in the French Overseas Territory in 2004. Around 80% of New Caledonia's energy was supplied through fossil fuel. Being a small island nation in the middle of the South Pacific, this country is especially susceptible to the effects of global warming, and so action was needed. This project's green energy output fosters climate awareness and action by providing green energy from 116 turbines to the local power grid. The two farms generate an annual average of 40,000 MWh; the turbines are designed to withstand the volatile weather conditions in the South Pacific, increasing the sustainability & security of the energy supply. Their strength was tested and proven during the landfall of Cyclone Jasmine in 2012; although the islands were devastated, the turbines remained standing. Prony Wind Power is helping to drive the clean energy transition in regions where there are no previous resources to do so. Not only does the project offset an average of 32,000 tCO2 every year, but the employment opportunities for this project are reserved for New Caledonia's indigenous population, boosting the standard of living for those involved. The project owners are also strengthening the country's welfare, promoting climate awareness through programs within schools and community groups. Prony's success is a tribute to the viability and value of sustainable development in small island nations, promoting climate action and increasing climate resilience in the Pacific Island region. The Prony wind farm project is the first Gold Standard Verified project in the Pacific, indicating the move towards climate action beyond developed nations. The Gold Standard, established in 2003 by WWF, manages best practice standards for climate and sustainable development projects.
Source: https://www.our-trace.com/projects/prony-wind-power-new-caledonia
Gallery
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Timelines
2021
TotalEnergies developed a series of photovoltaic and energy storage projects in New Caledonia to deliver decarbonized electricity via a 25-year renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) for the industrial operations of mining and metallurgy consortium Prony Resources New Caledonia.
2012
The government of New Caledonia, with the assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented this solar energy pilot project.
2008
French company Aerowatt installed 116 wind turbines (GEV MP & GEV 26/220). As the wind parks are located in a cyclonic area, the turbines can be tilted down in the event of a cyclonic alert. At full capacity, the wind parks generate 31 MW, and its estimated production is 40 GWh per year.
2004
The Prony Wind Power project was commissioned as part of a renewable energy development plan in French Overseas Territory.