Story
16 June 2026
Energy security: Five ways the UN is helping the Pacific reduce fuel dependence
Amid continuing instability in global energy markets—including recent tensions in the Middle East that are disrupting supply and driving price volatility—energy security has become increasingly urgent for global concern. For the Pacific, which relies heavily on imported fossil fuels for both transport and electricity generation, these external shocks translate directly into higher costs, fiscal pressure, and increased vulnerability. At the launch of the 2026 State of Climate Report, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Our addiction to fossil fuels is destabilizing both the climate and global security… Renewables deliver climate security, energy security and national security.” The United Nations in the Pacific is supporting governments and communities in 14 countries and territories to reduce dependence on imported fuel, strengthen energy security, and accelerate the transition to sustainable and resilient energy systems. Here are five ways the UN is supporting Pacific Island countries: 1. Strengthening national energy transition planning
In the Solomon Islands, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is supporting the development of a National Cooling Action Plan—a framework for reducing energy demand and increasing energy efficiency in the cooling sector across buildings and cold chains. This strengthens energy security by giving the country a clearer pathway to reduce fuel dependence and manage future energy risks. 2. Expanding renewable energy in remote communities
Programmes supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are scaling up renewable energy access, including rural electrification initiatives in Fiji that are bringing reliable power to remote communities. These improve livelihoods, enable economic activities, and reduce dependence on diesel-based generation. They also help protect remote communities from sudden fuel price increases and supply disruptions, which often affect outer islands first. Replication of this project is under discussion in several other countries, including Tuvalu. Meanwhile, in Vanuatu the Green Transformation Project has delivered small-scale hydro-electric power stations (also known as pico-hydro systems), providing the people with clean, reliable electricity in isolated communities of Pentecost Island. It has also established the technical, institutional, and community structures needed to ensure long-term sustainability. Additional installations on the northern part of the island are currently under way. 3. Powering essential services with clean energy
Renewable energy is also powering critical public services across the Pacific. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supports essential services with clean energy solutions that improve reliability and resilience in challenging environments, including health, education and water in countries such as Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. For instance, solar-powered systems are supporting healthcare facilities, especially in areas where access to the electricity grid is limited or unreliable. These systems help ensure that healthcare services can continue without interruption. This initiative reduces reliance on diesel generators, lowering both operating costs and emissions. For hospitals, clinics, and other essential services, clean energy is a practical investment as it builds resilient healthcare systems that provide better outcomes for communities. UNICEF is also supporting the provision of solar power to schools across several Pacific countries, including the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. This enables reliable lighting and power for information and communication technologies, such as laptops, internet connectivity, printers, and phones, as well as fans for classroom cooling. As a result, contributing to improved access to quality education, a more conducive learning environment, and enhanced digital literacy among students and teachers. In addition, UNICEF is supporting solar-powered water supply systems across Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. These offer a dual benefit—reducing emissions while strengthening the resilience of water supply systems, particularly in remote areas where access to fuel is challenging. 4. Supporting low-carbon industrial solutions
UNICEF is also introducing cleaner technologies for healthcare waste management in the Solomon Islands. This includes supporting a solar-powered, microwave-based medical waste treatment system as a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional fuel-based incinerators and open burning. Compared with conventional incineration methods, these technologies significantly reduce fuel consumption and lower harmful emissions, while offering a more environmentally responsible approach to managing infectious healthcare waste. This is particularly important in remote island settings, where fuel supply can be costly and unreliable. 5. Building skills for the energy transition
The UN is investing in people as a key pillar of energy security. In the Solomon Islands, UNICEF is helping to train young people in renewable energy technologies, equipping them with practical skills in solar installation and maintenance while supporting local job creation.
At the subregional level, ESCAP is working with the Office of the Pacific Energy Regulators Alliance (OPERA) to accelerate clean energy transitions across the Pacific through knowledge sharing on regulatory best practices and capacity building to unlock innovative financing mechanisms for investments in grids and storage. A regional effort for a shared challenge Energy security is a shared challenge across the Pacific. In a region where geography makes energy supply costly and vulnerable, reducing fuel dependence is both an environmental priority and a practical pathway to economic resilience, service continuity, and greater national security. Through policy support, technical expertise, financing and innovation, the UN is helping the region transition towards cleaner, more resilient and more affordable energy systems—reducing reliance on imported fuels while advancing sustainable development.
In the Solomon Islands, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is supporting the development of a National Cooling Action Plan—a framework for reducing energy demand and increasing energy efficiency in the cooling sector across buildings and cold chains. This strengthens energy security by giving the country a clearer pathway to reduce fuel dependence and manage future energy risks. 2. Expanding renewable energy in remote communities
Programmes supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are scaling up renewable energy access, including rural electrification initiatives in Fiji that are bringing reliable power to remote communities. These improve livelihoods, enable economic activities, and reduce dependence on diesel-based generation. They also help protect remote communities from sudden fuel price increases and supply disruptions, which often affect outer islands first. Replication of this project is under discussion in several other countries, including Tuvalu. Meanwhile, in Vanuatu the Green Transformation Project has delivered small-scale hydro-electric power stations (also known as pico-hydro systems), providing the people with clean, reliable electricity in isolated communities of Pentecost Island. It has also established the technical, institutional, and community structures needed to ensure long-term sustainability. Additional installations on the northern part of the island are currently under way. 3. Powering essential services with clean energy
Renewable energy is also powering critical public services across the Pacific. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supports essential services with clean energy solutions that improve reliability and resilience in challenging environments, including health, education and water in countries such as Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. For instance, solar-powered systems are supporting healthcare facilities, especially in areas where access to the electricity grid is limited or unreliable. These systems help ensure that healthcare services can continue without interruption. This initiative reduces reliance on diesel generators, lowering both operating costs and emissions. For hospitals, clinics, and other essential services, clean energy is a practical investment as it builds resilient healthcare systems that provide better outcomes for communities. UNICEF is also supporting the provision of solar power to schools across several Pacific countries, including the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. This enables reliable lighting and power for information and communication technologies, such as laptops, internet connectivity, printers, and phones, as well as fans for classroom cooling. As a result, contributing to improved access to quality education, a more conducive learning environment, and enhanced digital literacy among students and teachers. In addition, UNICEF is supporting solar-powered water supply systems across Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. These offer a dual benefit—reducing emissions while strengthening the resilience of water supply systems, particularly in remote areas where access to fuel is challenging. 4. Supporting low-carbon industrial solutions
UNICEF is also introducing cleaner technologies for healthcare waste management in the Solomon Islands. This includes supporting a solar-powered, microwave-based medical waste treatment system as a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional fuel-based incinerators and open burning. Compared with conventional incineration methods, these technologies significantly reduce fuel consumption and lower harmful emissions, while offering a more environmentally responsible approach to managing infectious healthcare waste. This is particularly important in remote island settings, where fuel supply can be costly and unreliable. 5. Building skills for the energy transition
The UN is investing in people as a key pillar of energy security. In the Solomon Islands, UNICEF is helping to train young people in renewable energy technologies, equipping them with practical skills in solar installation and maintenance while supporting local job creation.
At the subregional level, ESCAP is working with the Office of the Pacific Energy Regulators Alliance (OPERA) to accelerate clean energy transitions across the Pacific through knowledge sharing on regulatory best practices and capacity building to unlock innovative financing mechanisms for investments in grids and storage. A regional effort for a shared challenge Energy security is a shared challenge across the Pacific. In a region where geography makes energy supply costly and vulnerable, reducing fuel dependence is both an environmental priority and a practical pathway to economic resilience, service continuity, and greater national security. Through policy support, technical expertise, financing and innovation, the UN is helping the region transition towards cleaner, more resilient and more affordable energy systems—reducing reliance on imported fuels while advancing sustainable development.
