EARTH SUMMIT+5 Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 New York, 23-27 June 1997 SUCCESS STORIES FROM ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

	Assistance to the Solar Energy Company
	Location	North Tarawa, Kiribati, South Pacific.
	Responsible organization	Implementing Agency: the Solar Energy Company under the responsibility of the Ministry of Works and Energy of Kiribati. Co-operating agency: JICA, Japan. UNDP/BPPS/SEED/Energy and Atmosphere Programme for technical assistance and monitoring.
	Description	The project provided the Kiribati Solar Energy Company (SEC) in order to enable it to provide electricity service as a micro utility in an effective manner. The UNDP assistance focussed on technical training of SEC personnel on photo voltaic systems and management training on accounting, billing, spare parts inventory, etc.
	Issues addressed	Promoting use of renewable sources of energy. Participation of women.
	Objectives	To assist the Government of Kiribati in meeting the basic electricity needs of rural and/or remote communities in an efficient, least costly and reliable manner.
	Results achieved	Training of the assistant manager in the design, installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of photo voltaic systems and preparation of technical specifications, tender documents and evaluation of tenders. Procurement and installation of computer hard- and software required for proper management activities (e.g. billing, accounting, spares inventory). Development of a computer-based management system designed for local conditions. On-the-job training in management procedures of staff of the SEC. The provision of electricity enables children to study at night, women to devote more time to weaving mats of pandanus leaves which they sell to generate extra income, fishermen spend more time out at sea - as repairing nets and cleaning and salting fish can be undertaken at night- and radio has brought entertainment and access to programmes dealing with health, child care, sanitation, etc.
	Lessons learned	Complementing institutional strengths on project levels is an approach that can also be applied elsewhere.
	Financing	OPEC Fund for International Development through the UNDP Energy Account administered under the UNDP/BPPS/SEED/Energy and Atmosphere Programme. The JICA/UNDP project was instrumental in assisting SEC to apply for additional financial means and a EU-sponsored project for Solar Home Systems in the region.
	Contact	UNDP/BPPS/SEED/Energy and Atmosphere Programme Dr. Suresh Hurry, Senior Technical Adviser Tel: (212) 906-6308 Fax: (212) 906-5148 Mr. Ad Dankers Technical Adviser Energy Tel: (212) 906-6639 Fax: (212) 906-5148