The Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) is planning to go “green” with solar lighting.
Chairman of the VBTC Board, Jonethy Jerety signed an MOU with Consulting Vanuatu Wednesday to carry out a feasibility study on the possibility to install solar panels at VBTC.
“We have started and now we have taken action to go green”, Mr Jerety told the media prior to the signing.
Mr Jerethy said the feasibility study will address the issue of monthly excessive power-consumption costs incurred by VBTC which averages between VT1.5 – VT1.7 million.
Under the MOU, Consulting Vanuatu will carry out the three-week feasibility study free-of-charge.
Director Consulting Vanuatu Tim Hewatt said at this stage it is still too early to estimate the overall cost of the second phase.
But he said the feasibility study will address the number of solar panels to go on top of the VBTC roof and the total cost for the second phase which is the implementation stage.
Mr Hewatt said the plan is to have VBTC operating through solar power at day time and use Unelco power for the operation at night.
When asked whether there are sufficient funds to implement the second stage, VBTC’s Finance Controller, Roy Mariasua said with the assistance of Vanuatu Consultant, VBTC is hoping to source funds from an international aid agency for the project.
According to the VBTC board, the successful bidder that wins the normal tender process will be assigned to carry out the second phase of the project.