WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

Polynesia
5.2.7 French Polynesia
Lara Esser, International Center on Small Hydro Power
Key facts
Population 274,512 1
Area 4,167km 2 (land area 3,521 km 2 )
Climate Tropical, but moderate 1
Topography
Rain
pattern
Thirty-five mountainous volcanic
islands and about 183 low-lying coral
atolls in five archipelagos
Hot rainy season is from November to
June, cool dry season is in July to
October. 2 Average rainfall is 1,800 mm
per year. 3
Electricity overview
Electricity production is mainly carried out by the
company Electricité de Tahiti (EDT). EDT owns 15
power stations (188.8 MW), all powered by diesel fuel
on the main island of Tahiti as well as three power
stations on the Marquesas Islands (Îles Marquises).
Hydroelectric generation is the largest form of
renewable energy on the archipelago (figure 1). 5
Hydro
Thermal
38.25%
0% 20% 40% 60%
61.75%
Figure 1 Electricity generation in French Polynesia
Source: Institute d’Emission d’Outre Mer 4
Note: On Tahiti only.
In August 2010, a hybrid thermal/photovoltaic (PV)
plant was inaugurated on the atoll Ahe, allowing the
population to have cleaner, perennial power, and to
be less dependent on fossil fuels. Financed by the 9 th
European Development Fund, the plant is the first of a
series of three hybrid plants which combine thermal
power generation with PV technology. 4 Six wind
turbines were installed in Makemo, however, the
irregularity and availability of strong winds is an issue,
as well as the economic viability.
In April 2010, the Council of Ministers authorized the
completion of 27 PV power projects with a total
installed capacity of 10,520 MWp, close to 10 per cent
of the power demand during peak daily consumption.
French Polynesia also plans to expand the use of
marine energy. An experimental wave plant was
installed in 2008, a tidal pilot plant exists since 2010
and a financing agreement for the feasibility study of a
proposed floating thermal plant was decided in 2010
as well, based on a system of energy production using
the temperature differential to convert water into
electricity. 4
According to the Inter-ministerial Council on Overseas
France, at its meeting in November 2009, an energy
self-sufficiency target for overseas territories was set
for 2030.
Small hydropower sector overview and potential
There are 15 small hydropower plants in operation,
ranging in size from 100 kW to 12 MW (figure 2). 6
SHP installed capacity
SHP potential
47 MW
65 MW
0 20 40 60 80
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in French
Polynesia
Source: International Journal on Hydropower and
Dams 6
Small hydropower potential is under study, including
capacity expansion potentials of updating existing
ageing plants. The cost of producing a kWh of
hydropower is about US$0.11. 6 The theoretical
(technically feasible) hydropower potential is 300
GWh/year, and the technically and economically
feasible hydropower potential is 250 GWh/year
(equivalent to 65 MW). 6
Renewable energy policy
Since June 2009, individuals and small businesses can
sell electricity produced by their solar panels for 45F
Communauté Financière du Pacifique (CFP) per kWh
In addition, a fiscal incentive was introduced in April
2010 in favor of future producers of PV electricity,
who will be exempt from VAT, licence, tax
transactions and territorial solidarity contribution. 4
Barriers to small hydropower development
About 70 per cent of the technically feasible small
hydropower potential has already been developed,
leaving only a small range of potential to be
developed.
References
1. Central Intelligence Agency (2012). The World
Factbook. Available from
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/.
2. Aregheore, E.M. (2009). Country Pasture/Forage
Profile: French Polynesia. Available from
www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Counprof/southpacif
ic/FrenchPolynesia.htm.
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