Australia will provide A$7.29 million ($4.8m) to strengthen energy security and accelerate the transition to renewable energy across the Pacific.
The funding package will support engineers in developing grid modelling tools for Pacific countries, helping governments assess how renewable energy can be integrated into existing electricity networks.
It will also support the Renewable Energy Commissioner and technical experts working on renewable energy project development and integration, as well as establish an early careers programme for energy professionals.
Australia said the package would also strengthen the capabilities of energy regulators across the Pacific by expanding training and development opportunities.
The announcement was made alongside a new memorandum of understanding with Vanuatu to support the country's renewable energy transition.
Under the agreement, Australia will provide tools and technical expertise to help integrate more solar power into Vanuatu's electricity grid while supporting the development of local technical skills.
The partnership will include technical expertise transfer, local capacity-building for infrastructure operations and maintenance, knowledge exchange with Australian institutions, and workforce planning and assessments.
Australian climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen said the agreement would help strengthen Vanuatu's energy sovereignty.
“Bringing more solar energy online will put downward pressure on prices while cutting emissions,” Bowen said.
The funding and Vanuatu agreement form part of Australia's A$50 million Australia-Pacific Partnership for Energy Transition, or APPET, which supports clean energy development across the region.
Australia has also signed APPET partnerships with Palau, the Marshall Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.
For Pacific island countries, the initiative is aimed at increasing renewable energy deployment while strengthening local technical capacity and reducing exposure to energy supply and price pressures.
