A launch of the interest clusters on technology deployment roadmaps for islands and power grid integration on islands under the Global Renewable Energy Islands Network (GREIN) initiative, established at the Third Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was held in Auckland, New Zealand on 24 March 2013.
Seven countries including one Member State, namely, Jamaica participated in the launch meeting while an additional twenty seven countries have expressed an interest in either one or both of the interest clusters including, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Technology Roadmaps for Islands
IRENA has secured funding to develop technology roadmaps for three islands, viz, one in the Pacific, Caribbean and AIMS regions by June 2014. The interest cluster discussed recommendations for the development of a template and terms of reference for a standard roadmap. Solomone Fifita, Deputy Director for Energy at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, was elected by acclamation as roadmaps interest cluster leader.
Power Grid Integration on Islands
IRENA has also secured funding to engage up to five islands for power grid stability studies through mid-2014. The interest cluster discussed a number of possible criteria to select islands for grid stability studies. Andrew Daka, Executive Director of the Pacific Power Association, was elected by acclamation as leader of the interest cluster on power grid integration.
