Japan Fund For Prosperous And Resilient Asia And The Pacific Grant Supports Solar Panel Install

Major Projects and Procurement Support (MPPS), Te Marae Ora (TMO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announce the successful contract signing for the procurement and installation of a Photovoltaic (PV) System for the Rarotonga Hospital.

𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲, 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝, the contract works includes the design, supply and installation of an 80kW Photovoltaic (PV) System as well as solar inverters and mains connection to the distribution board at the Rarotonga Hospital. Andersons won the contract after bidding on the open international procurement tender, as a local company, Anderson’s involvement brings economic advantages to the country. The project creates employment, leverages local expertise, and keeps investment circulating within the local economy.

𝐌𝐫. 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, Managing Director of Andersons says “We’re honoured to contribute to this transformative project. It’s a win for the environment, healthcare and our economy. We are particularly pleased to see the adoption of a ‘Design and Build’ methodology, which allows the benefit of local knowledge being applied to projects, improving efficiency and reducing costs. It also avoids the pitfalls of prescriptive designs by overseas consultants, which often results in suboptimal outcomes and vendor lock-in.”

Ensuring the right company was contracted to deliver the works was a priority for the tendering process, especially when considering international contracts in Rarotonga. In many international projects across comparable Pacific islands, the lowest price conforming tender method was adopted, which often led to subpar results due to a lack of local knowledge or logistical challenges. Local companies’ in Rarotonga are uniquely positioned to navigate these challenges, offering a deep understanding of our island's infrastructure, regulations, and environmental conditions, ultimately providing more value than merely choosing the cheapest option.

The new solar system for the hospital will deliver sustainable environmental benefits by harnessing clean, renewable energy to help power the hospital and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Te Aponga Uira (TAU), the local electricity utility, will also see reduced diesel consumption. The solar energy system is a vital and cost effective project for the hospital as it significantly reduces the financial expenses incurred. The overall intent of this project is to offset the electrical demand of the newly installed medical waste system.

𝐌𝐫. 𝐁𝐨𝐛 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 says “This project not only highlights our countries ambitions towards more renewable energy consumption, it also reinforces our strategic priorities to strengthen our health system resilience, achieve universal health care service of excellence and have impactful public and private partnerships.”

The project is being financed with grant funding support from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The purpose of the fund was towards supporting safe recovery of travel and tourism in Cook Islands. It was earmarked for projects supporting targeted airport and health readiness activities.

𝐌𝐫. 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 says “the Cook Islands was successful in accessing the NZD$3.2M grant back in 2021, and when we signed this grant agreement the Government committed to supporting health and airport projects. We’ve completed the Tupapa Health Centre refurbishments, and the Rarotonga medical waste system upgrade so far, this project is the latest one delivering on our commitment to date”.

Works on the Rarotonga 80kW Photovoltaic (PV) System installation is set to begin next month, with completion targeted for June this year.

𝐄𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 about this news release should be made by email to: mpps.media@cookislands.gov.ck