Renewable Energy: French Polynesia Chooses Carbone 4

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On the MRM website: http://www.mrm.gov.pf/?q=node/125

Paris, November 25, 2011 - Following an international call for proposals, the firm Carbone 4, founded by Alain Grandjean and Jean-Marc Jancovici, was selected by the Ministry of Marine Resources to develop a roadmap for French Polynesia’s energy policy. The goal of this collaboration is to develop a master plan that will enable an electricity supply less dependent on fossil fuels.

French Polynesia relies on fossil fuels for 80% of its electricity generation, and its electricity demand has increased by 40% since 2000. Aware of these economic and climate challenges, French Polynesia has set a goal of generating 50% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. The Ministry of Marine Resources of French Polynesia, which is responsible in particular for green technologies, is launching an ambitious project to transition the electricity mix toward renewable energy. The master plan, which is part of an effort to protect the natural and cultural environment, must propose a realistic economic framework to ensure the development of renewable energy and reduce the island’s carbon footprint. As part of this mission, Carbone 4 is collaborating with François Dauphin, an independent expert and founder of Canopéa Conseil.

The mission has four objectives:

• Conduct an assessment of electricity production and consumption in French Polynesia

• Examine the potential for demand-side management measures

• Quantify the technical and economic potential for the development of renewable energy

• Develop several scenarios for the evolution of electricity demand through 2020

The Minister of Marine Resources supports this initiative: “We are very pleased to be able to explore ways to build a future that is less dependent on fossil fuels with Carbone 4. For Tahiti to be a sustainable dream, it must rethink its energy strategy.”

The study's findings: