Anthony Albanese is to announce a further investment in Palau’s renewable energy system as he seeks to reinforce Australia’s Pacific ties amid criticism over limited international interest in a taxpayer-funded pre-COP31 climate meeting.
The Australian prime minister will join Palau’s president, Surangel Whipps Jnr, on Thursday to mark the delivery of additional battery storage at a solar farm in Ngatpang on Babeldaob, Palau’s largest island. ([7news.com.au](https://7news.com.au/news/world/anthony-albaneses-green-energy-funding-for-the-pacific-as-he-defends-low-global-interest-in-climate-conference-c-22815314))
The project forms part of a further A$16.4 million commitment to upgrade Palau’s electricity grid. Australia previously provided A$31.4 million through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific to support the solar farm and its initial battery storage system. ([7news.com.au](https://7news.com.au/news/world/anthony-albaneses-green-energy-funding-for-the-pacific-as-he-defends-low-global-interest-in-climate-conference-c-22815314))
The expanded battery capacity is expected to double storage at the facility, lift renewable power to 25 per cent of Palau’s total electricity generation and reduce diesel consumption by more than one million litres a year.
The investment builds on a wider energy-transition partnership between Australia and Palau, which includes technical support, planning assistance and training for workers in the renewable energy sector, according to the Australian government. ([ministers.dfat.gov.au](https://ministers.dfat.gov.au/minister/pat-conroy/media-release/investing-palaus-clean-energy-transition))
“Palau has shown strong leadership on climate action and sustainable development, and Australia is proud to support those efforts,” Mr Albanese said.
His visit comes as the government faces questions over its decision to spend more than A$20 million on the pre-COP31 meeting, which will be held in Fiji and Tuvalu from October 5 to 8.
Albanese defends Pacific climate conference spending
Fiji’s foreign minister has confirmed that leaders from Antigua and Barbuda, Cabo Verde, Thailand, the Maldives and Timor-Leste are expected to attend from outside the Pacific. Germany, Mexico and South Korea are set to send ministers, while the final list of participants remains open. ([thenational.com.pg](https://www.thenational.com.pg/fiji-reveals-pre-cop-attendees-at-pacific-summit/))
At a press conference during the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, 7NEWS reporter Josh Martin challenged Mr Albanese over whether the spending represented value for money given the number of international leaders expected to attend.
“That’s not true. With respect, you are being so disrespectful to the Pacific Leaders who are here,” Mr Albanese replied.
Pressed on the number of leaders from outside the region, he said: “Well, sorry, but we need to actually have some respect for the process.”
The prime minister argued that Australia had a strategic as well as a climate interest in maintaining strong relationships across the Pacific.
“Australia has an absolute interest in engaging with the Pacific. The entry fee for credibility in the Pacific, including on national security issues,” he said.
He added that the cost of failing to engage with Pacific nations could ultimately be far greater than the expense of hosting the meeting.
“You’re talking about a much, much larger figure,” Mr Albanese said.
Fiji’s government has said the success of the meeting should not be judged solely by the number of heads of government or heads of state attending. Its foreign ministry said the focus should instead be on building consensus, narrowing differences between negotiating positions and making progress ahead of COP31. ([foreignaffairs.gov.fj](https://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/update-on-pre-cop-preparations/?utm_source=openai))
Australia’s Department of Climate Change and Energy says the event will place Pacific priorities, including climate finance, the 1.5C temperature goal, ocean protection and the region’s leadership, at the centre of discussions before the main UN climate summit in Türkiye. ([dcceew.gov.au](https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/international-climate-action/unfccc-cop/cop31?utm_source=openai))
