The women-led project has seen 115 households and 10 public spaces connected to off-grid solar systems, which have been installed by Lawital women who have been trained to assemble and maintain the systems and lead a long-term energy fund.
A women-led project, transforming the community
“The women of Lawital have been calling for access to electricity so their children can do homework, to help them with cooking, and to improve safety in the community,” said Flora Vano, ActionAid Vanuatu Country Manager. “And now with their leadership, they have made it happen. It’s fantastic to see so many women in the village trained up to install and repair the solar systems. This truly is a women-led project, and it will be a huge turning point for the village of Lawital.”
Napuat Kasso, a Woman I Tok Tok Tugeta Taskforce Leader for the island of Tanna, highlights how the project will be transformational for the village of Lawital. “This project will be a great benefit in my community,” she said. “It is a first ever project that is implemented here in north Tanna. It solves everything, it makes our lives easier, and our children will be very happy.”
Delivered through the WITTT Network, the off-grid solar project uses a PayGo rent-to-own model, with monthly payments reinvested into a community-managed fund. This supports ongoing system maintenance, future renewable energy installations and new income-generating opportunities for women.
“These systems are made from e-waste and recycled components, assembled and maintained by the women of Lawital,” explains Bradley Clair, PowerWells co-founder. “It’s a model that’s good for people, good for the planet and built to last.”
Launching the project in Lawital
The project – a partnership with the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) with ActionAid Australia, ActionAid Vanuatu, PowerWells and the Women I TokTok Tugeta (WITTT) Network – was officially launched this week in Lawital with 50 women from the community.
Minister for Climate Change, Adaptation, Geohazards, Meteorology & Energy the Hon Ralph Regenvanu attended the celebration event on Tuesday hosted by Chief Nafima at Lawital’s Nakamal to mark the end of the partnership project. He was joined by Minister of Internal Affairs the Hon Andrew Solomon Napuat, President of Tafea Province Mr Andrew Iawak Nipio, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu H.E. Nicola Simmonds and Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu H. E. Max Willis.
“Australia is committed to supporting clean energy solutions that are locally led and inclusive,” said Australia’s High Commissioner to Vanuatu, H.E. Max Willis, at the event. “This project is a powerful example of what communities can achieve when they place women at the centre of energy access. Together, we’re not only lighting up homes, we’re also supporting safer, stronger and more climate-resilient communities across Vanuatu.”
The partnership is supported through the Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP), a $350 million Australian Government initiative delivered by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).