LocationsGetting Ready for the Arrival of Electricity to Our Households and Lives
October 29, 2025
Ranwadi School, Pentecost, Vanuatu – As Pentecost Island prepares to welcome clean, renewable electricity under the Vanuatu Green Transformation (VGET) Project, women and female youth from the island’s communities of Waterfall, Melsisi, Larimaat, and Nambwaraniut have gathered this week at Ranwadi School for a three-day Green Skills Development Training Programme aimed at empowering women to use energy safely, productively, and sustainably.
“We are learning how to manage appliances and installations. We know the dangers and consequences of bad utilization of electricity and how it can harm our bodies and even produce a fire at home. This is something very new for us and we don´t know yet all the implications so this training is really useful,” says Doris Savu, 51 years old from Larimaat community in Central Eastern Pentecost, one of the 21 participants at Ranwadi School.
“This workshop is getting us ready for the arrival of electricity to our households and lives,” added Pamela Kayo, from Melsisi community in Central Pentecost.
The training, running from 30 September to 2 October 2025, comes ahead of the completion of the three pico-hydro power stations being built by the VGET project — funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Department of Energy from the Ministry of Climate Change, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and Disaster Management.
Participants during the three-day Green Skills Development Training.
Building Green Skills and Confidence
Led by Michela Lugiai, Gender Specialist with UNDP, together with Ms. Winy Marango, Senior Monitor and Evaluation Officer from the Ministry of Climate Change and Mr. Willie Obed, Principal Scientific Officer of Energy Efficiency and Conservation from the Department of Energy of the same Ministry, the Green Skills Development Training focuses on building the knowledge and confidence of women to understand how electricity works and how to use it to improve their livelihoods.
Through interactive activities, discussions, and practical exercises, the participants — including women, young women, and entrepreneurs — are also learning about:
- The links between gender equality, green energy, and climate resilience;
- Safe and efficient energy use;
- Productive Use of Energy (PUE) to start or grow small businesses;
- Inclusive and sustainable business planning; and
- How to apply green principles to entrepreneurship and daily life.
The training’s final day will feature a Green Business Fair, where participants will present the business plans they have developed. Two of the most promising green business ideas will be selected and showcased to inspire others in the community.
Empowering Communities Through Practice and Knowledge
“We aim for these women to understand how electricity works — not only to use it safely but also to transform it into opportunities,” said Ms. Michela Lugiai, UNDP Gender Specialist. “This training helps build confidence and practical skills, ensuring that the energy transition also includes women and empowers them while strengthens community resilience and local development.”
Ms. Winy Marango from Ministry of Climate Change.
Ms. Winy from the Ministry of Climate Change, added:
“As Vanuatu advances toward its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030, it’s essential that women are part of this transformation. When women gain access to green skills, they can lead their communities toward sustainable and inclusive development.”
Mr. Willie Obed from Department of Energy.
Mr. Willie Obed, Department of Energy, emphasized:
“Electricity is more than light — it’s an opportunity. By learning how to use energy productively, these women will be able to create small businesses, improve living standards, and make smarter choices for their families and communities.”
A Step Toward Inclusive Green Transformation
This training is part of the broader Vanuatu Green Transformation (VGET) Project, a flagship initiative under the Regional Pacific Green Transformation Project, supported by the Government of Japan. On Pentecost Island, the project is constructing three pico-hydro power stations at Waterfall, Melsisi, and Larimaat, which will deliver clean, reliable electricity to more than 700 households — directly benefiting around 3,000 residents and indirectly reaching 6,000 people.
By pairing infrastructure with capacity-building and skills development, the project ensures that communities — especially women and youth — are equipped to make the best use of new energy systems for inclusive and sustainable growth.
For more information, please contact:
Daniel C. Gonzalez, Communications Analyst for the VGET project | UNDP Pacific Office | (E) Daniel.calderon.gonzalez@undp.org
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