Renewables Readiness Assessment: Republic of the Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands relies on imported petroleum products for 90% of its primary energy supply. But the Pacific small-island developing state has set out to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix and achieve 100% electrification by 2020. The envisaged energy transformation requires greater use of off-grid solar power.

This Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) report calls for the formation of a national energy agency and a renewable energy coordination committee. The latter would help to implement design standards for renewable energy technologies, integrate solar photovoltaic (PV) systems into the grid, and address operation and maintenance challenges for off-grid systems.

A Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) identifies the actions needed to overcome a country’s barriers to renewable energy deployment, with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) providing technical support and expertise to facilitate consultations among different national stakeholders. While the process helps to shape appropriate policy and regulatory choices, each country determines which renewable energy sources and technologies are relevant and consistent with national priorities.