19 Feb 2004

Agreement signed for project to develop sustainable energy sources across region

11:38 am on 19 February 2004

The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission and the United Nations Development Program have signed an agreement to develop sustainable methods of power in Pacific Island nations.

The Danish government has pledged, as its contribution to the European Union Energy Initiative, 1-point-6 million US dollars to the project.

The policy of developing sustainable energy sources, such as wave, wind and solar power, emerged from a 2002 regional meeting in the Cook Islands.

Harnessing alternative sources of energy would also reduce the region's reliance on fossil fuels and its susceptibility to fuel price rises and lead to the reduction of waste oil pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.