Review of NAMDRIK atoll solar project, Republic of the Marshall Islands - Final report, PIEPSAP project report 50, October 2005

This report was prepared by Empower Consultants Limited. The Namdrik Atoll solar project has had a somewhat chequered history. Before proceeding with the Outer Island electrification programme, GoRMI wished to understand the issues arising from this experience so as to better scope the forward programme of bringing light to the remaining 20 atolls that have no access to environmentally friendly commercial fuels. Under its PIEPSAP project, the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) agreed to fund an investigation with the main aims of characterising the technical and socio-economic conditions on Namdrik, deriving conclusions and recommendations for the forward programme grounded in the experience of solar electrification on the atoll, and investigating the potential for utilisation of coconut oil (CNO) as a biofuel diesel substitute.