RAROTONGA (Pacnews) — Cook Islands’ power supply company has warned that a total reliance on diesel-generated electricity would hinder the island’s social development and economic growth.
Te Aponga Uira o Tumu-te-Varovaro chief executive Apii Timoti said the Cook Islands must look to alternative sources of energy to foster economic growth.
“This is important because as the demand for electricity increases, so too is the need to expand the system. This means more engines and hence more atmospheric pollution and increased waste oil to dispose of. Our already vulnerable environment will be under more strain,” said Timoti.
“The single main challenge for the country is to reduce its dependency on imported petroleum products and use renewable and environmentally friendly electricity sources,” Timoti told participants at a recently held sustainable development forum.
