NEXSTEP backs Tonga’s effort to keep better track of its Energy targets
12th June, 2020 The Government of Tonga through the Department of Energy (of the Ministry of MEIDECC) in conjunction with UN ESCAP hosted an online inception workshop on National SDG7 Roadmap for Tonga using the National Expert SDG Tool for Energy Planning (NEXSTEP).
The Department of Energy under the Ministry of MEIDECC in collaboration with UN-ESCAP have been developing a national energy transitional planning tool NEXSTEP (National Expert SDG Tool for Energy Planning). The tool is to assist in making informed decisions in transitioning the energy sector in a way that supports the achievement of the NDCs with particular attention to SDG7.
In his opening remarks Dr. Tevita Tukunga, Director of Energy, said this tool would enable policymakers to make more informed policy decisions to support the achievement of the SDG7 and national emission reduction targets.
“As a national focus topic, Tonga has decided to work on improving the data gathering, analysis and tracking capacity for achieving SDG7, Nationally Determine Contribution (NDC), Tonga Energy Roadmap (TERM), Tonga Energy Efficiency Master Plan, and other energy related national targets.”
Mr. Hongpeng Liu, Director, Energy Division, UN ESCAP in his co-opening remarks expresses how ESCAP has prioritized its support to small island countries like Tonga where the challenges to develop a national SDG7 roadmap, that also aims to improve the resilience and security of the energy sector, is far greater than other countries.
“ESCAP recognizes that roadmap development should be a country-led process where countries take the full ownership of their roadmaps instead of being developed by external parties. The roadmap development process needs to involve all stakeholders who have a link to either energy demand or supply. It should be harmonized and coordinated with the existing national energy strategies and plans.”
With the NEXSTEP’s integrated system approach, Tonga will be able to know exactly where it stands with its Energy development, its current status and most importantly can project its future needs given its Energy vision & targets.
Attending the inception workshop, the CEO of Tonga Statistics Department, Dr. Viliami Fifita and other senior representatives from other line Ministries and relevant stakeholders.
A follow up capacity building will held later once the modelling and the analysis of the tool is completed.
