Vanuatu, an archipelago of more than 80 islands with a population of approximately 300,000 people, is consistently ranked as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. According to the World Risk Index, Vanuatu has the highest global risk score due to its extreme exposure to cyclones, floods, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, compounded by high vulnerability and limited adaptive capacity. Recent events, including Tropical Cyclones Pam, Harold, Judy/Kevin and Lola, alongside recurrent volcanic activity, have caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, displacement of communities, and severe economic losses. The frequency of climate-induced disasters has reduced, now occurring every one to two years compared to three to five years previously however the intensity of cyclones has significantly increased and more frequently.

Energy infrastructure is among the most affected sectors. Damage to decentralized renewable energy systems disrupts essential services, undermines livelihoods, and weakens community resilience, particularly for women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities who are disproportionately affected by disruptions in access to electricity, water, sanitation and shelter. 

While Vanuatu has made notable progress toward universal electrification through renewable energy—guided by its National Energy Road Map (2016–2030) targeting 100% renewable energy access by 2030—approximately 71% of the population remains off-grid, and the resilience of energy systems to climate shocks remains a critical challenge.

Strengthening resilience of the Vanuatu energy sector against climate-induced disasters project responds to these challenges by strengthening institutional, technical and community capacities to reduce climate and disaster risks in the energy sector. It is funded under the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF) of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and IRAF

Launched in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit by the Government of India, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a global partnership of national governments, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, private sector entities and knowledge institutions. CDRI promotes the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems against climate and disaster risks in support of sustainable development.

CDRI’s strategic objectives focus on:

• Technical support and capacity-building, including disaster response, recovery, innovation and institutional strengthening;
• Research and knowledge management, including global flagship reports and resilience data platforms; and
• Advocacy and partnerships, facilitating global dialogue, financing, and dissemination of best practices.

The Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF) is a USD 40 million multi-donor facility supported by India, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Australia. IRAF supports targeted technical assistance and pilot investments to strengthen infrastructure resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). This project is part of IRAF’s second cohort, contributing to regional efforts across 19 SIDS.

Project Overview

The project aims to enhance the resilience of Vanuatu’s decentralized renewable energy sector by strengthening institutional frameworks, technical capacity and climate-resilient infrastructure design, while piloting nature-based solutions for disaster risk reduction in remote communities. 

Project Goal and Objectives

Overall Goal
To enhance national capacities to strengthen the resilience of energy infrastructure and communities in Vanuatu by adopting risk-informed approaches, tools and methodologies that reduce the impacts of climate-induced disasters on energy systems.

Specific Objectives

1. Strengthen baseline institutional and technical capacity to foresee, withstand and manage climate and disaster risks in the energy sector.
2. Strengthen institutional mechanisms, policies and technical tools to achieve long-term, inclusive and climate-resilient energy infrastructure development in Vanuatu.

Project Approach

The project adopts a two-step, integrated approach combining upstream institutional strengthening with downstream, community-level implementation:

Step 1: Institutional and Technical Capacity Strengthening
Technical assistance will be provided to the Department of Energy to mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate resilience into energy planning, design, implementation and operation. Key deliverables include:

• A gender-responsive Capacity Needs Assessment for the energy sector, with a focus on energy security and disaster risk reduction;
• A Strategic Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in the Energy Sector;
• Climate-resilient technical design guidelines for pico-hydro and solar PV systems, integrating gender and social inclusion considerations.

Step 2: Demonstration of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
Nature-based disaster risk reduction measures will be implemented in UNDP-supported off-grid pico-hydro projects on Pentecost Island and at least one solar micro grid in and around Efate Island. This includes climate risk assessments, protection of water catchments, and strengthening community-based adaptive disaster risk management. The approach reduces infrastructure downtime, enhances long-term system performance, and strengthens community resilience.

The project emphasizes complementarity with existing national and UNDP initiatives, fostering partnerships, knowledge transfer, and sustainable energy sector development.

Expected Impact

Strengthened Infrastructure Resilience

• Improved performance of energy systems against climate and disaster risks
• Enhanced continuity of electricity services during and after emergencies

Reduced Vulnerability and Enhanced Adaptive Capacity

• Strengthened capacities of government institutions and local stakeholders
• Increased preparedness of communities and decentralized energy systems

Unlocking New Infrastructure Investments

• Improved access to financing for disaster-resilient infrastructure

Integration of resilience-focused energy investments into national development pipelines