Vanuatu energy transition recommendations based on best practices on other SIDS in the Pacific Region

Islands, Nature & Renewable Energy Law Project (INRELP) - IUCN - Policy recommendations aimed at overcoming key regulatory barriers within Vanuatu

This brief is the fourth-in-line contribution to mapping the renewable energy sources (RES) regulatory framework on the South Pacific Ocean archipelago of Vanuatu and providing policy recommendations, with a particular focus on electricity generation.It builds upon the Onshore Renewable Energy Potential Introductory Brief (D01), the Legal and Regulatory Brief (D02) and the Regulatory Challenges Brief (D03). There are three regulatory challenges hampering a more effective uptake of renewable energy generation in Vanuatu were identified. These include:•The non-effectiveness of the framework governing electricity utilities,•The need for integrating a bespoke renewable energy regulatory framework beyond a project focus, and•Several cost-based and pricing challenges.This brief aims to propose preliminary policy recommendations to the identified regulatory challenges, based on comparative research using mostly governmental policies and good regulation practices from similar Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the South Pacific. Island nations were selected due to their common geographical area, similar GPD level and comparable historical background as former colonial societies, contributing to similar constrains and regulatory barriers for their energy transition and nature protection. As a result, regulatory frameworks from the islands of Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Kiribati, Niue, Marshall Islands and Nauru have been analyzed for this deliverable.The Islands, Nature & Renewable Energy Law Project (INRELP) is a project of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law Climate Change Law Specialist Group. Working closely with island climate change and energy stakeholders INRELP develops policy recommendations with the goal of enhancing renewable energy, preserving nature, and engaging local island communities.