Established in VANUATU since 1939, over the years UNELCO has become a professional and innovative company.



  • Jehan Brieuc Morault explores the potential for installing an electricity network in Port Vila.
  • 1st concession agreement for a period of 40 years covering Port Vila
  • Commissioning of the first diesel power station equipped with 2 Baudouin generators, 20 and 32 kW respectively.
  • cyclone AMANDA
  • UNELCO supplies approximately 400,000 kWh to its 300 customers with a peak output of 145 kW. Within 10 years, the peak output increased to 680 kW and the energy consumption to 2.5 million kWh for 680 customers.
  • The New Hebrides authorities award UNELCO an extension of its contract for 10 years.
  • Solar Installation in Pentecote
  • First try Coprah Oil
  • A new concession agreement is negotiated with the Government of Vanuatu for a period of 15 years.
  • Following the country’s accession to independence, the company changed from SA (Société Anonyme or corporation) to SARL (Société Anonyme à Responsabilité Limitée or limited liability company). The company name was changed to UNELCO - UNION ELECTRIQUE DU VANUATU LIMITED.
  • Establishment of a 2nd operation in Santo with the take-over of the thermal power station from the Compagnie Electrique de Santo and the associated concession agreement for a term of 20 years. The Government acquires 9.5% shareholding in the capital of UNELCO.
  • UNELCO is awarded the contract for the supply of water in Port Vila. The Government increases its shareholding in UNELCO to 14.40%. Water is supplied through a pumping station.
  • Management of the Sarakata hydro-power station (Santo) for and on behalf of the Government, comprising two 300 kW turbines, a project that was funded by Japan (JICA).
  • Launching of the first ‘cross-country run’ known as La Piste Bleue
  • Construction of the Tagabe power station in Port Vila, with a total output of 8 000 kW.
  • The Government awards two further concessions to UNELCO, being Tanna and Malekula, for a term of 20 years.
  • Tanna
  • The Government withdraws from its shareholding in UNELCO.
  • First use of bio-fuel with 5% coconut oil.
  • confirmation of the use of bio-fuel with 15% coconut oil.
  • Commissioning of the first wind engine on a trial basis (275 kVA) on the Kawene plateau at Devil’s Point.
  • Thanks to its use of coconut oil as a source of fuel, UNELCO is awarded the « Trophée de l’Innovation de ENGIE » (ENGIE Innovation Trophy), for its contribution to one of the major objectives of the Group, namely innovating new generation resources with minimum environmental impact.
  • launching of a rural electrification pilot project for supplying a village, Port Orly (Santo), using renewable energy based on coconut oil.
  • Commissioning of the windfarm at Devil’s Point with 11 wind-engines, Vergnet make, (with a total output of 3 025 KVA). This power station can produce 15% of the power consumption in the Port Vila concession.
  • Establishment of the Utilities Regulatory Authority pursuant to the URA Act 2007.
  • Le Gouvernement ne renouvelle pas le contrat de Concession a UNELCO à Luganville et octroie à une nouvelle société VUI (Vanuatu Utilities & Infrastructure) un contrat d’exploitation et maintenance pour 8 mois. Premières installations de production solaires mises en service à Tagabé (Mai 2011), Tanna (Octobre 2011) et Malicollo (décembre 2012)
  • Mise en application d’une révision tarifaire, suite à la décision d’un tribunal arbitral à Melbourne. Le prix de l’électricité baisse de 7.1 % ;
  • UNELCO remporte le trophée du Meilleur Producteur et Distributeur d’eau du Pacifique (performance de Benchmarking)
  • Extension des zones de concessions de l’exploitation de Tanna et Malekula
  • extension of the electric concession area to the whole island of Efate
  • VNPF takes a 14.4% stake in UNELCO
    PAM
  • Undine Bay solar farm set up
  • Commissioning of the XANT 3-propeller wind turbine (100 kW), in Kawene
  • commissioning of the Kawene solar farm (1 MWp)
  • signature of the extension of the water service concession area
  • VNPF shareholder of UNELCO up to 40%
  • Extension of the Water concession in Téouma Ville
  • VNPF shareholder of UNELCO at 49%
  • end of the Tanna and Mallicolo concession contract
  • The launch of the new MIRIDIMETA service
  • Extension of the electricity network in MALAFAU
  • Extension of the electricity network in ETAS 1
  • Extension of the electricity network in METEN
  • Signing of the extension of the water supply concession in the TEOUMA valley