Every home in the remote village of Lawital on Vanuatu’s Tanna Island now has access to clean, reliable solar power, thanks to an Australia-supported off-grid renewable energy partnership led by local women.
More than 800 people across Lawital’s 115 households are benefitting from new solar lighting and charging systems, as well as solar streetlights installed in 10 key public spaces. Five community centres have also been powered through the project.
It’s made possible through an Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnership between ActionAid Vanuatu, PowerWells, Women I TokTok Tugeta (WITTT) Network and the Australian Government, supported through AIFFP’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP).
“This project will be a great benefit in my community. It solves everything, it makes our lives easier, and our children will be very happy,” said Napuat Kasso, WITTT Taskforce Leader on Tanna.
Flora Vano, ActionAid Vanuatu Country Manager, said: “The women of Lawital have been calling for access to electricity so their children can do homework, to help them with cooking, and to improve safety in the community. And now with their leadership, they have made it happen. It’s fantastic to see so many women in the village trained up to install and repair the solar systems. This truly is a women-led project, and it will be a huge turning point for the village of Lawital.”
Minister for Climate Change, Adaptation, Geohazards, Meteorology & Energy the Hon Ralph Regenvanu attended a special celebration event on Tuesday hosted by Chief Nafima at Lawital’s Nakamal to mark the end of the partnership project. He was joined by Minister of Internal Affairs the Hon Andrew Solomon Napuat, President of Tafea Province Mr Andrew Iawak Nipio, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu H.E. Nicola Simmonds and Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu H. E. Max Willis.
The celebration also featured a cultural performance by the Dhamuw Koedal Dance Group from the Torres Strait Islands in Australia.
“Australia is committed to supporting clean energy solutions that are locally led and inclusive,” said Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu, H.E. Max Willis, at the event. “This project is a powerful example of what communities can achieve when they place women at the centre of energy access. Together, we're not only lighting up homes, we’re also supporting safer, stronger and more climate-resilient communities across Vanuatu.”
Delivered through the WITTT Network, the project uses a PayGo rent-to-own model, with monthly payments reinvested into a community-managed fund. This supports ongoing system maintenance, future renewable energy installations and new income-generating opportunities for women.
“These systems are made from e-waste and recycled components, assembled and maintained by the women of Lawital,” explains Bradley Clair, PowerWells Co-founder. “It’s a model that’s good for people, good for the planet and built to last.”
Since 2024, Australia has invested around VUV 390 million (AUD 5 million) in off-grid renewable energy projects in Vanuatu through PCIFP investment in both REnew Pacific and its pilot Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships program through the Business Partnerships Platform.
Every home in the remote village of Lawital on Vanuatu’s Tanna Island now has access to clean, reliable solar power
More than 800 people across Lawital’s 115 households are benefitting from new solar lighting and charging systems
A special celebration event hosted by Chief Nafima at Lawital’s Nakamal marked the end of the partnership project
The celebration featured a cultural performance by the Dhamuw Koedal Dance Group from the Torres Strait Islands in Australia
The Dhamuw Koedal Dance Group from the Torres Strait Islands