Kimbe Port in Papua New Guinea’s West New Britain Province is set for a significant upgrade, with a PGK80 million contract awarded to local firm Global Construction Ltd to deliver critical land side upgrades.

The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and delivered in partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea and PNG Ports Corporation Limited.

The upgrades will improve core port infrastructure, including pavement reconstruction, drainage, terminal lighting, and firefighting systems.

Key buildings such as the port office, cargo shed and passenger terminal will also be refurbished to improve safety, functionality and user experience.

The works are expected to create over 300 local jobs, with 70 per cent of the workforce to be sourced locally, providing employment and skills development in West New Britain.

Speaking at the signing, the Hon. William Duma MP, Minister for State Enterprises, noted the significance of Australian support.

“For the people and Government of Australia to be able to come back and help us with the AIFFP program means a lot to us. If you look at the history of Kimbe, Bialla, Rabaul, even Manus, nearly all of them were built by the Australians themselves more than 50 years ago the fact that the Government and the people of Australia decided to help us reflects the long and enduring relationship we have with our closest neighbour, the people of Australia,” he said.

The Governor of West New Britain, the Hon. Sasindran Muthuvel MP, welcomed the project and added that developing the port to international standards would improve business and support employment opportunities and bring much-needed development.

The Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Ewen McDonald said the PGK80 million contract will create employment and provide skills development opportunities for both West New Britain and  Papua New Guinea more broadly.

“Using projects to provide opportunities for national industry should be a goal for all development partners in Papua New Guinea. Relying only on international firms misses opportunities for lasting economic gains,” he added.

The land side contract follows the earlier award of marine works to Pacific Marine Group Pty Ltd.

Together, the contractors will deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that meets the growing needs of the province and its people. Construction is expected to begin shortly and be completed by 2026.

The Kimbe Port project is part of AIFFP’s PGK1.6 billion Ports Infrastructure Investment Program, which is supporting upgrades at ports across Papua New Guinea, including in Kavieng, Daru, Oro Bay and Lae. 

These investments are improving connectivity, enhancing trade, and supporting inclusive growth across the country.

Learn more about Australia’s investment in Upgrading ports across Papua New Guinea.

Last week, one of Vanuatu’s first REnew Pacific projects, led by Respond Global, achieved its second major milestone in record speed, installing a new 15kW off-grid solar system at Quatvaes Hospital, Torba.

Quatvaes Hospital is Torba’s main provincial hospital, serving over 11,000 people in one of the most remote off-grid areas of Vanuatu. It previously operated without reliable power, which meant the local community couldn’t always access safe, consistent healthcare when they needed it most.

Now, they are able to access:

· Healthcare services, including emergency care, powered 24/7 by clean, reliable energy

· Life-saving equipment like oxygen concentrators and critical diagnostic tools like a new X-ray machine

· Telemedicine via satellite internet.

This is a powerful example of how practical climate solutions can transform essential services for people living in hard-to-reach places. As Waven Aranhabat, Provincial Health Planner, said: "This milestone marks a profound transformation for both hospital staff and patients."

This is the second installation in under a month for this REnew Pacific project, one of the first in Vanuatu, which will reach 40 remote health facilities over the next year, supporting over 80,000 people. In partnership with the National Green Energy Fund - NGEF Vanuatu, the REnew Pacific project will also be supporting local schools, removing e-waste and building long-term skills through partnerships with the Vanuatu Institute of Technology.

Learn more about the project  here 

REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. It’s part of the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership, a $350million initiative for climate infrastructure in the region delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.

Visit the REnew Pacific website for more information and to sign up for updates.

One of Vanuatu’s first REnew Pacific projects, led by Respond Global, has already begun installing the first of 20 new solar power systems in off-grid health facilities across the country, less than a month since launching.

The Respond Global team landed their HELPR 1 vessel on Loh Island in Vanuatu's remote Torba province to install the first new solar system at Loh’s Health Centre, which serves 2,000+ people, enabling the local health service to have reliable power for the first time.

This means:

· Night-time emergency care

· Safe vaccine and medicine storage

· Power for medical and office equipment.

This is the first milestone for the one-year project that will reach 40 remote health facilities to install or refurbish solar systems, supporting 80,000 people across Vanuatu. In partnership with the National Green Energy Fund - NGEF Vanuatu, the REnew Pacific project will also be supporting local schools, removing e-waste and building long-term skills through partnerships with the Vanuatu Institute of Technology.

🔗 Learn more about the project here

Renew Pacific is the Australian Government’s $75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. It’s part of the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership, a $350 million initiative for climate infrastructure in the region delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.

Visit the REnew Pacific website for more information and to sign up for updates.

Over 84,000 people across Vanuatu’s remote off-grid communities will soon have better access to water, healthcare or education services, thanks to the country’s first two REnew Pacific projects, announced today.

REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s new $75 million investment in off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, including Vanuatu.

Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change, Adaptation, Geohazards, Meteorology & Energy, the Hon. Ralph Regenvanu and Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu H.E. Max Willis officially launched REnew Pacific’s first project in Betervat, Malekula at a special event with local leaders and the community.

The two-year project, led by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), will bring solar-powered water pumping systems to eight rural communities across Vanuatu’s Santo, Paama, Tanna and Malekula islands, improving water security and sanitation for over 4,700 people. It will also equip 24 health centres and schools with solar PV systems and battery storage, providing reliable, clean and affordable energy. Find out more.

An additional REnew Pacific project will benefit around 80,000 people in Vanuatu’s most remote communities, delivering reliable 24/7 energy to healthcare services for the first time. 

Respond Global, through its unique HELPR-1 vessel, will transport and install 20 new off-grid solar power systems and upgrade 20 additional health facilities across all Vanuatu’s six provinces. This project will improve local healthcare delivery and supply essential medical equipment and also repair and upgrade existing off-grid systems in schools, clinics and community buildings, removing e-waste and training local community members to support ongoing maintenance. Find out more.

Both projects are supported by Vanuatu’s National Green Energy Fund (NGEF) and the Australian Government.

REnew Pacific is part of the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350 million initiative focused on climate infrastructure in the region, delivered by the Australian Government’s Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).

Over the next five years, REnew Pacific will fund locally-led projects that bring clean, reliable energy to remote and rural off-grid Pacific communities, improving services like lighting, clean water, healthcare, education, agriculture and more. REnew Pacific now is inviting proposals for new off-grid renewable energy projects across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, including Vanuatu. 

For more information and to apply for a grant, visit https://renewpacific.com.au.

Sixty households in Vanuatu’s remote Lawital village now have access to solar power, thanks to an AIFFP partnership between the Australian Government, ActionAid Vanuatu, PowerWells and the Women I TokTok Together (WITTT) Network.

Solar units are provided to households through the WITTT network at an affordable, monthly rent-to-own basis, with all funds going directly back into their community fund.

The partnership is not just powering homes - it’s empowering women with the skills and confidence to take ownership of their energy needs.

Last month, PowerWells visited Lawital to train local women in installing and maintaining their solar units. As PowerWells Founder, Bradley Clair said: “For many, this was their first time using a screwdriver - let alone power tools, multimeters, wire strippers, and soldering irons! But by the end of the training, they were assembling and installing solar systems like pros.”

Helen Bong, Finance and Operations Manager of ActionAid Vanuatu noted: “It was an exciting day. Every mama (women) in the community wanted to learn and practice. Most of them didn’t even know which wire was positive or negative, but they were eager to understand and do the job.”

All 115 Lawital households will have solar by June 2025. 

The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP) initiative to expand the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific’s (AIFFP) climate investments. It does this by partnering with businesses to deliver reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, implemented by the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP). 

Through AIFFP, the Australian Government has recently launched the first grant round for REnew Pacific, a new $75 million long-term off-grid renewable energy program to support communities like this one across the region, to mitigate, adapt and build resilience against climate change.

Find out more here: https://renewpacific.com.au/

Join the upcoming REnew Pacific online partnership networking session on 7 April!

Date:        Monday, 7 April 2025
Time:         3:00pm – 4:00pm (AEST) 
Location:     Online 
Register here

REnew Pacific is the Australian Government’s new $75 million investment to deliver off-grid renewable energy to rural and remote communities across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. It’s part of AIFFP’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350 million initiative focused on climate infrastructure that supports the region to transition away from fossil fuels, enhance energy security and drive climate-resilient development.

REnew Pacific is now accepting grant proposals for locally-led projects that will improve essential services for these communities, including lighting, water access, agriculture, healthcare, education and communications. Projects that improve energy access for women, people with disabilities, and diverse groups will be prioritised.

By attending this online session, you'll have the opportunity to:
•    Network and explore potential partnerships with other businesses, NGOs, community organisations, academic institutions, and government agencies interested in applying for a REnew Pacific project. 
•    Gain insights and answers to the frequently-asked questions the REnew Pacific team has received to help you successfully apply before applications close on 28 April 2025.

Register here to attend. Once you register, you’ll have the opportunity to share more about what you are looking for in a partner.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Missed the REnew Pacific information session?
REnew Pacific held an information session last month, covering everything you need to know about the program and how to apply. If you missed it, you can find it online here.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please visit the REnew Pacific website for more information or get in touch.
 

Australia is working closely with Fiji to rebuild its shipbuilding and repair industry, bringing new job opportunities and boosting the local economy. 

The Australian Government through the Australian High Commission in Suva and the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) has committed AUD1.2 million to support a detailed study and early works for a new shipbuilding and repair facility in Lautoka.

Last week, at a greenfield site in Lautoka, the proposed site of the Facility, Fiji’s Prime Minister, the Hon Sitiveni Rabuka and Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji, His Excellency Mr Ewen McDonald, unveiled a proposed concept design for the new shipbuilding and repair facility.

In addition to the concept design, Australia handed over a report summarising Stage 1 of the Fiji Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Study to the Fijian Government, which informed the concept design to ensure it met industry best practices and aligned with Fiji’s maritime ambitions. 

The report identified the best location for the facility, analysed market demand, assessed available skills and infrastructure and outlined industry requirements.

Once fully operational, this project will create up to 120 jobs. To ensure Fijians can take up these roles, discussions are underway with the Ministry of Education on potential investment in vocational training and partnerships to ensure that Fijians are equipped with the skills needed to take up these roles.   

The next stage will involve a feasibility study to confirm whether the site is technically suitable and a business case to determine the commercial viability of the facility. These assessments will help finalise the design and are expected to be completed later this year.

The AIFFP’s investment will help to strengthen Fiji’s economy, build local expertise and position Fiji as a leader in regional maritime services. 

The project is a priority under the Australia Fiji Vuvale Partnership and Memorandum of Understanding on Port Infrastructure and Services, reinforcing Australia’s long-term commitment to supporting Fiji’s growth in the maritime sector.