Tonga Power Limited has commissioned two new generator sets at Popua Power Station, adding 3.52 megawatts of capacity to help maintain electricity supply during peak demand, planned maintenance and unexpected equipment outages.

The two Cummins QSK60 units, commissioned today, each provide approximately 1.76 MW. Tonga Power says the additional capacity will strengthen operating reserves and improve the electricity system’s stability.

The generators are a temporary measure while the company progresses Project Kalofiama, which is intended to provide a permanent powerhouse solution under the Tonga Power Generation Upgrade Project.

Part of wider electricity upgrades

Tonga Power chief executive Scott Westbury said the generators would provide additional capacity while wider investments in the electricity network continued.

“These generators provide additional capacity and system stability today, while we continue strengthening the grid and progressing Project Kalofiama,” Westbury said.

The commissioning forms part of the Tonga Renewable Energy Stabilisation (TRES) Programme, a partnership between the Government of Tonga and the Government of Australia.

The programme includes three components covering electricity generation, transmission and distribution.

Alongside the generation upgrade, the Grid Enhancement for Sustainable Transition project is intended to strengthen the 33-kilovolt transmission system and support integration of the RAPID project. A third component supports further distribution network upgrades through NNUP Area 4.

Together, the projects are intended to improve the stability of Tonga’s electricity system as the country works towards its target of generating 70 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy.

What it means for electricity supply

Additional generation capacity gives Tonga Power more flexibility when demand rises or existing generators are unavailable. However, the commissioning announcement does not specify how much the new units are expected to reduce outages or whether customers will see immediate improvements in supply.

The company has also not provided a completion date for Project Kalofiama in the announcement.

Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, the Australian Interim High Commissioner, Government representatives, Tonga Power’s board and management, and project stakeholders attended the commissioning ceremony.

Tonga Power said the new generators represent another step towards providing safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity in Tonga.