Marshalls renewable energy plan helped by World Bank

8:12 pm on 18 December 2017

The Marshall Islands has been given a $US34 million dollar grant by the World Bank to help implement its Sustainable Energy Development Project.

Majuro, Marshall Islands.

Majuro, Marshall Islands. Photo: Giff Johnson

The Marshalls' finance minister, Brenson Wase, said the country aimed to be 20 percent reliant on renewable energy by 2020, and using 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

He said this World Bank aid would significantly boost access to reliable, efficient and ultimately more affordable renewable energy for residents and businesses across Majuro and Ebeye.

The new project will focus on installing and operating the solar power plant, assistance to reduce the demand for energy and training and workshops to improve energy policies.

The Pacific director for the World Bank, Michael Kerf, said the Bank with the Marshallese government, aims to tackle the challenge of limiting global warming, through using renewable energy and ensuring more efficient energy use.