How an energy transition commissioner can secure the Pacific’s renewable energy future: cleaner power, with the people

Executive summary

Successive fuel shocks from ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East underscore the inherent risks of continued fossil fuel reliance – in the Pacific as elsewhere.

The push by Pacific governments to increase their renewable energy deployment has the potential to reduce these risks and deliver several wider benefits.

But calls to accelerate the transition have not yet been met with sufficient coordination or resourcing. As a result, early efforts have been uneven and have sometimes led to poor economic, environmental and social outcomes.

A new energy commissioner, whose terms of reference will be considered by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in 2026, could be a game changer.

Leaders should aim big.

The new commissioner should be an impartial energy adviser to Pacific governments and communities, and better coordinate the organisations that support them. Their aim should be to facilitate a more timely and equitable energy transition. Leaders should also consider a title for the commissioner that reflects the role’s holistic brief. This paper recommends Pacific Energy Transition Commissioner.

Four proposed priority areas will help the commissioner address common issues in the renewables roll-out and ensure greater benefits for Pacific energy users. These are: securing investment, delivering innovative solutions, promoting more sustainable management of renewable energy assets, and advancing inclusive approaches to the design and delivery of renewables projects. Most will require close coordination with other agencies.

The commissioner must also be set up to succeed through fit-for-purpose governance arrangements.

A multi-year, untied funding contribution of FJ$18 million in total over four years should be considered, sufficient for the commissioner, a professional staff and a modest program budget. Staff should include a lead with expertise in each of the four priority areas (investment facilitation; procurement/logistics; engineering/technical; and community energy/energy access) as well as an office manager.

Building on experience with the Pacific Ocean Commissioner, the new commissioner should report directly to leaders and join existing Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific coordination mechanisms. Leaders should also consider establishing a broad-based advisory body, modelled on the Pacific Ocean Alliance, to advise the new commissioner on emerging issues.

To build regional ownership, the new commissioner must connect with their wider constituency, including Pacific energy users such as householders and businesses.

The model for the new commissioner should also evolve over time in response to changing circumstances and stakeholder feedback. Leaders should consider in the future whether to task the commissioner with an independent redress mechanism for community members who have been negatively impacted by energy infrastructure.

Energy is ultimately important because it can support people’s needs and aspirations.

So it is crucial the new commissioner is equipped, and resourced, to address the transition holistically: as a social as well as technical and economic concern.

Securing the Pacific’s energy future requires no less.

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In conversation with

Cherol Ala Ianna

Director-General, Ministry of Youth, Justice and Community Services, Vanuatu

Toleafoa Annie Tuisuga

Manager, Environment and Renewable Energy Division, Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa

Associate Professor Paul Munro

Environment and Society Group, University of New South Wales

About the Pacific Security College Policy Paper Series

This paper is published by the Pacific Security College. It reflects the views of the author alone and isn’t an official statement on behalf of the College, its funders, or the Australian National University. The Policy Paper Series aims to contribute a diversity of views and ideas to the regional conversation about the journey to 2050.