Pacific Islands Focus on Investment Needs for Renewed Ambitions at Pre-COP31 The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has identified electrification and grid enhancement as key levers of the next phase of global energy transition. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), this phase means going beyond reaching their renewable energy target, which they have proven capable of with their capacity surpassing the 10 gigawatts (GW) target they set themselves for 2030.
The next phase of the energy transition demands greater attention to the grids, infrastructure, institutional capacity, and investment pipelines needed to translate growing ambition into implementation at scale.
The shift towards increased electrification supported by expanded, modern infrastructure is increasingly visible in the latest generation of SIDS' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Around 80% of SIDS have submitted new NDCs for the latest ambition cycle, with more concrete energy-sector ambitions covering renewable electricity, energy efficiency, and electrification in the transport sector.
In the Pacific, for example, there are countries that have committed 100% of renewables in electricity generation, such as Tuvalu by 2030, as well as Vanuatu and Fiji by 2035. Meanwhile Samoa, Nauru, and Tonga aim for over 70% renewable electricity by 2035.
Many NDC measures are conditional on international financial, technical and capacity-building support. Across SIDS, IRENA estimates that meeting renewable energy and climate targets will require more than USD 6.1 billion in investment by 2035, with around USD 4.2 billion dependent on international support and financing.
Despite progress, Pacific Islands still face challenges in translating energy transition ambitions into implementable and bankable projects. Projects can be constrained by small market and project sizes, high transaction costs, limited project-preparation resources, infrastructure and institutional constraints, and access to affordable long-term finance.
In this regard, Pacific leaders have already articulated what needs to change. Through the Manubada Call to Action adopted at the 6th Pacific Regional Energy and Transport Ministers' Meeting in 2026, the countries called for more predictable financing, better alignment of development-partner support with Pacific-led priorities, and stronger regional coordination.
The Pre-COP31 in Nadi, Fiji, provides the opportunity to address challenges and identify urgent actions. IRENA through the SIDS Lighthouses Initiative (LHI), the Government of Fiji, and the Pacific Community (SPC) are co-organising the Pacific Regional Dialogue on Energy Transition Investments and Finance' on 7 October 2026.
Held to address barriers to renewable energy deployment, identify opportunities to scale investment, and strengthen collaboration, the high-level dialogue will contribute to the global discussion on mobilising finance, strengthening partnerships, and enabling conditions needed to accelerate renewable energy deployment as well as support the region's NDCs.
While looking ahead to COP31 in Türkiye (November), Ministers will discuss what is needed to convert Pacific Islands' energy transition priorities into financed projects by improving access to affordable finance, strengthening project preparation, enabling infrastructure, institutional capacity, and regional approaches, such as opportunities to achieve scale across small markets.
The Dialogue will also be an occasion to share the SIDS LHI's Annual Progress Report (2025 - 2026), which shows how far SIDS have advanced in their energy transitions since the LHI was launched in 2014. The group's renewable energy deployment has grown to a total installed capacity of 11.2 GW by the end of 2025 surpassing their 10 GW target by 2030.
Apart from the high-level dialogue, IRENA at Pre-COP31 will also engage government representatives on the topic of offshore renewable energy through its side event, Offshore renewables for resilient Pacific islands'. Co-organised with the Global Offshore Wind Alliance, the event will also share a new IRENA report that looks into blended financing as mechanism to advance the Pacific region's offshore wind and other ocean renewables deployment.
See IRENA at Pre-COP31 agenda: https://www.irena.org/Events/2026/Oct/IRENA-at-Pre-COP31
For more information
336 East 45th Street, 11th Floor
New York New York
United States 10017
www.irena.org
