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Virtual Training of Trainers delivered on Solar PV Systems in Vanuatu

Port Vila, Vanuatu 29 May 2020 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE) of the Ministry of Climate Change – Vanuatu, conducted a two-day pilot training of trainers (ToT) workshop on the 26th and 27th of May, 2020 on draft Solar Photovoltaic (PV) training modules for the project on Capacity Building to Strengthen Sustainable Implementation of Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Energy Access.

This regional project is funded by the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and is being implemented in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea, in partnership with GGGI and the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF). In Vanuatu, the project implementation is being coordinated by GGGI in partnership with the DoE.

The main objective of the project is to strengthen informed and inclusive decision-making by resource owners and local government officials for the integration of Green Economy (GE) and Renewable Energy (RE) into local level planning.

GGGI is working closely with local partners to develop 10 training modules to achieve this goal. In addition, local trainers will be engaged to deliver these capacity building workshops throughout the identified communities.

The purpose of this pilot ToT workshop was to present to local trainers the first two draft training modules on Solar PV and get feedback on its suitability for use in training the target groups and communities identified for this project. The feedback will be reviewed to make further improvements to the modules in preparation for conducting pilot training in remote communities later this year. The other 8 training modules being developed cover a range of topics including Pico-hydro systems, Energy Efficiency, and Inclusive development, to name a few. The feedback from this workshop will also be used to improve these modules as well.

In delivering his opening remarks, Mr. Mathew Tasale, Officer-in-charge of the DoE acknowledged the funding support from KOICA. He also acknowledged GGGI and PIDF for their support in coordinating the project implementation at the regional level. Mr. Tasale also highlighted the importance of the project in building capacity in rural communities which is currently of urgent need, as the government ramps up investments in the areas of access and RE to meet its national energy sustainability priority targets of 100% percent electricity access and close to 100% use of RE sources by 2030.

The workshop was attended by local trainers from various sectors, who have vast experience in engaging and conducting trainings in remote communities around Vanuatu. Apart from the review of the modules technical content, the workshop also sought feedback on its suitability and possible customizations to make it easier for women and vulnerable groups to understand as well, since gender and inclusivity is one of the highest priorities for the project.

With Fiji and Vanuatu workshops now completed, similar ToT workshops will be held in the Solomon Islands and PNG in the third quarter of 2020.