Akuo, an independent global renewable energy producer and developer, in partnership with the municipality of Bora Bora and with the support of the "Integrated Solutions for the Decarbonization and Smartification of Islands" (IANOS) European project, is aiming to decarbonize the electricity production and transport sectors on Bora Bora.
Decarbonize the electricity production and land & lagoon transport sectors
Within the framework of the SWEET project, Akuo is supporting the municipality of Bora Bora throughout the process providing technical and economic support to meet the island's renewable energy requirements. The project is divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on increasing the island's share of renewable energy and promoting local and inclusive agriculture. In practical terms, 2MW of Agrinergie©, 2MW of Aquanergie© and energy storage technologies will be deployed on one of the motus (reef islets) of Bora Bora. The second phase aims to set up a zero-carbon transport network and develop ocean thermal energy to enhance the sea-related industrial sector, decarbonize the construction sector and produce renewable electricity.
An easily replicable project
Two pilot islands have been selected to implement operational solutions that suit the island's conditions, and these could be easily replicable on European islands. Bora Bora is joining the IANOS project as a "fellow island" to test the replicability of these solutions in contexts that have diverse technical and economic challenges.
Towards the deployment of a renewable energy system
The European Union, in cooperation with the IANOS consortium's players, will finance a substantial portion of the spending. The European funds received by the municipality and Akuo will be deployed within the framework of the SWEET project managed and overseen by the municipality of Bora Bora. However, technical, administrative and financial support is being put in place to assist the municipality through the project's phases and make headway towards a renewable energy system.
Bora Bora: one of the most proactive islands in preserving ecosystems
In recent years, Bora Bora has adopted an exemplary environmental approach on drinking water, wastewater treatment and waste management, with the award of the "Pavillon bleu" label for bathing water for 21 consecutive years, making it one of the most advanced islands in terms of preserving its ecosystem. The municipality of Bora Bora has now begun to apply this approach to its energy needs in order to achieve a similar level of excellence. The island's status as a tourist hotspot and the seasonal nature of its electricity requirements further justify the promotion of solutions that can supply it with renewable energy while protecting its environment and the wellbeing of its inhabitants.
Jean Ballandras, CEO of Akuo Pacific, says: "Through the SWEET project, Akuo is supporting the municipality of Bora Bora's commitment to preserving ecosystems. We are providing the municipality with our island expertise, our renewable energy know-how and our innovative Agrinergie© and Aquanergie© solutions, already deployed throughout the Pacific, to decarbonize the island's energy mix."
Gaston Tong Sang, Mayor of Bora Bora, adds: "For about 2 years now, the commune has been conducting a study on its energy transition with the experienced technical assistance of Akuo Pacifique. Being part of such a European consortium is a source of pride for our commune. Bora Bora has certainly been selected thanks to its approach initiated more than 30 years ago, on the path of sustainable development. We are therefore looking forward to moving forward on the SWEET project. My municipal team and I have set a goal of 0 carbon and 0 noise by 2030 by focusing on the energy mix: Agrinergie© and Aquanergie©, ocean thermal energy (OTEC) and hydrogen. Of course, to achieve this, we are counting on the experience and expertise of our 34 European partners, but also on the support of our government in Paris, and we are convinced that this is not utopian, given the major recent advances and innovations in renewable energy. An environment that is both preserved and peaceful would enhance the attractiveness of Bora Bora and French Polynesia as a whole. Also, for all professionals in the tourism sector, this project is perfectly in line with the strategy Art of Living and Art of Entertaining in Bora Bora.'"
About Akuo: Entrepreneurs by Nature
Akuo is an independent global renewable energy power producer and developer. The company is present across the entire value chain, including project development, financing, construction, and operation. Akuo had invested more than EUR 2.5 billion to build a portfolio of over 1.3 GW of assets in operation or under construction and a robust 5 GW development pipeline. With more than 350 employees, the Group, headquartered in Paris, France, has a presence in over 15 countries around the world.
For more information, please visit www.akuoenergy.com
About the European IANOS Project
The European project "Integrated Solutions for the Decarbonization and Smartification of Islands" (IANOS) is financed by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 fund. Led by more than thirty-four European players, including Akuo, it aims to reduce the carbon footprint of European islands and to guide them towards energy independence by 2050.
European Union
This project has received funding from the European Union through the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant No. 957810.
For more information, please visit cordis.europa.eu
About the Commune of Bora Bora
Bora Bora is one of the 118 islands that compose French polynesia a French overseas collectivity 17 000 kilometers distant from the European coasts in the Pacific Ocean. This overseas country, with its statute of internal autonomy, represents 3700 square kilometres of land scattered in an ocean surface as large as Europe. Beyond the benefits for the sustainable development of the island, by participating in the IANOS project, Bora Bora places its approach to sustainability in a logic of long-term European cooperation, facilitated by public funding.
For more information, please visit www.borabora.pf
Contacts
Akuo Press Contact
Mila AVERLANT
averlant@akuoenergy.com
+ 33 (0)6 21 35 38 85
Commune of Bora Bora
Executive Director of Services
Maireraurii LEVERD
maireraurii.leverd@commune-borabora.pf
+689 40 605 804
