Locations
Enabler of Tomorrow: Bougainville’s Solar Transformation for Empowerment
April 11, 2025
Solar panels on the rooftop of the Innovation hub in Buka
In the Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARB) faces a pressing challenge: more than 80 per cent of its people lack access to reliable energy. This daily struggle unfolds in everyday life, impacting everything from education to health to enterprise.
But despite this crisis, there is light shining through.
The Pacific Green Transformation Project, generously funded by the Government of Japan in collaboration with UNDP, has brought renewable energy to the heart of Bougainville. The project has installed a solar panels on the roof of the Innovation Hub in Buka, unlocking new opportunities for the people in the community, especially for women and youth.
Innovations Hubs are spaces created by UNDP with funding support from the Government of Japan to serve as vibrant learning center for local economic development. And now, with thanks to the Pacific Green Transformation Project, these hubs will be fueled by solar energy, promising opportunities for future entrepreneurs to pave the path for a brighter Bougainville. A total of three Innovation Hubs were constructed in North, Central and South Bougainville.
Papua New Guinea’s first ever Innovation Hub in Buka. Photo: UNDP Papua New Guinea
Solar Energy Solutions
For Amanda Masono, the Minister of Public Services for Autonomous Bougainville Government, there is clear benefit of solar energy.
In a place where daily life has been severely affected because of the power cuts, the Minister sees a ray of hope brought on by the solar energy in her community. Her office will now be located within the Innovation Hub, and she reflects on the long-term value of uninterrupted power supply: “Blackouts in Buka means to stop work and go home. This challenge will now be a problem of the past as we work towards building strong women and youths for Bougainville in the future.”
Bougainville, with its year-round sunshine, has great potential to harness solar energy. And with this clean energy, the Innovation Hub will offer a technical training, workshop, seminar and networking space to foster entrepreneurship and equip individuals with the skills to drive local economic development.
Technicians work on installing solar power system in the Innovation Hub in Buka. Photo: UNDP Papua New Guinea
Climate Change and Renewable Energy
The Pacific Green Transformation project is about more than just providing access to clean energy – it is about accelerating a green transition to strengthen climate resilience. Papua New Guinea has long relied on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, a major contributor to climate change. The shift towards clean renewable solar energy can help adress the country’s fossil fuel dependence and promote decarbonization efforts.
The Pacific Island nations are among the most affected by extreme weather and natural disasters. Over the years, Papua New Guinea has been experiencing increasing storms, river flooding and landslides that lead to economic losses. Bougainville, consisting of Islands and costal villages, is particularly vulnerable to climate change and faces the risk of rising sea levels. Under such circumstances, renewable energy plays a crucial role in fostering community resilience by combating climate change and paving the way for Bougainville’s energy independence.
The solar panels installed at the Innovation Hub are part of a larger strategy to increase the region’s energy independence and build resilience against the devastating effects of climate change.
Empowering Women and Youth
Having access to energy means unlocking benefits for the entire community. The relationship between energy access and empowerment is undeniable. Minister Masono shares, “Having the access to reliable and affordable energy for the hub means that we will be able to achieve our objective to empower our women when we have uninterrupted power supply to the hub.” Furthermore, continuous power supply and Internet connectivity will help the next generation of women and youth to obtain critical skills.
She elaborates, “My wish is for the hub to be used as a space for developmental activities. Activities that include literacy programmes for children and youth, equipping them with life-skills and supporting their personal development.”
Introducing solar system is a great step for climate action. But solar energy is also a powerful tool to empower women, youth and marginalized groups, creating new opportunities for better education and economic development. It advances gender equality and promotes enterprise development within local communities.
Empowerment of women and youth is a key factor for economic development in Bougainville. Photo: UNDP Papua New Guinea
UNDP and Japan Partnership
The Pacific Green Transformation Project is generously funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP. Minister Masono expresses her gratitude for Japan’s contribution and its partnership with UNDP and the people of Bougainville: “We are truly grateful to the people of Japan and UNDP for their support in setting up three solar-powered Innovation Hubs with internet connection to support our programmes. I believe that such a project will not only foster long term economic growth and innovation in Bougainville, but also strengthen the relationship between the people and Government of Japan and the people of Bougainville and our Government and PNG.”
The Innovation Hub in Buka is just one part of a broader initiative to create a sustainable, energy-independent Bougainville. The project is also setting up two additional Innovation Hubs in Kieta and Buin, along with a 1 MW solar farm in Buin, which will cover an entire Buin community.
These efforts serve to improve energy access in the country by supporting Papua New Guinea’s vision to provide access to energy to 70% of its population by 2030.
These initiatives towards greener and sustainable future demonstrates what can be achieved through innovation and partnership, also showcasing the power of solar energy to drive positive social and economic change for a better tomorrow.
About the Project
The Pacific Green Transformation Project, funded by the Government of Japan, is helping communities in Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu switch to renewable energy, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and create sustainable, green solutions for future generations.
