Pacific Economic Monitor July 2018

Book excerpt: This issue highlights the economic prospects of the Pacific developing member countries (Pacific DMCs) and stresses the importance of improving the quality and access to basic and sustainable utilities in the Pacific DMCs. Access to electricity is low in the Pacific, particularly in the more remote and less developed parts of the subregion. Factors contributing to this include dependence on costly fossil fuels for power generation, inadequate investment in infrastructure, and electricity services that may be beyond the means of poorer rural households. To help address these challenges, most Pacific governments are taking steps to shift toward renewable energy and ultimately meet ambitious targets under international climate change commitments. Further, they have made strategic investments in more effi cient transmission networks, and better collection and payment systems.