Established in VANUATU since 1939, over the years UNELCO has become a professional and innovative company.
1934
The Beginning
Jehan Brieuc Morault explores the potential for installing an electricity network in Port Vila.
1939
Locked the Name
1939
First Concession
Agreement for a period of 40 years covering Port Vila.
1941
Commissioning of the first diesel power station
Equipped with 2 Baudouin generators, 20 and 32 kW respectively.
1959
Cyclone AMANDA
1960
UNELCO Energy supply grows
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.
1976
First Award
The New Hebrides authorities award UNELCO an extension of its contract for 10 years.
1982
Solar Installation in Pentecote
1983
First try Coprah Oil
1986
A new concession agreement
A new concession agreement is negotiated with the Government of Vanuatu for a period of 15 years.
1986
1987
Name changed
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.
1990
Second operation in Santo
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.
1994
Second Award
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.
1995
Sarakata hydro-power 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).
1995
La Piste Bleue Beginning
Launching of the first ‘cross-country run’ known as La Piste Bleue.
1998
Tagabe power station
Construction of the Tagabe power station in Port Vila, with a total output of 8 000 kW.
2000
More Awards
2000 The Government awards two further concessions to UNELCO, being Tanna and Malekula, for a term of 20 years.
2000
Tanna
2002
Government Withdrawal
11 April 2002
Commissioning of the Tanna power station
2005
A Step to Clean Energy
First use of bio-fuel with 5% coconut oil.
2007
Confirmation of the use of bio-fuel with 15% coconut oil
8 June 2007
Kawene plateau at Devil’s Point
Commissioning of the first wind engine on a trial basis (275 kVA) on the Kawene plateau at Devil’s Point.
14 June 2007
ENGIE Innovation Trophy
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.
May 2008
Renewable energy based on coconut oil
Launching of a rural electrification pilot project for supplying a village, Port Orly (Santo), using renewable energy based on coconut oil.
October 2008
Windfarm at Devil’s Point
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.
September 2008
URA Act 2007
Establishment of the Utilities Regulatory Authority pursuant to the URA Act 2007.
October 2008
Windfarm at Devil’s Point
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.
January 2011
New company VUI
The Government does not renew the Concession contract with UNELCO in Luganville and grants a new company, VUI (Vanuatu Utilities & Infrastructure), an operation and maintenance contract for 8 months. The first solar production installations were commissioned in Tagabé (May 2011), Tanna (October 2011), and Malicollo (December 2012).
October 2011
Best Water Producer and Distributor
UNELCO wins the award for Best Water Producer and Distributor in the Pacific (Benchmarking performance).
January 2011
Nouvelle société VUI
The Government does not renew the Concession contract with UNELCO in Luganville and grants a new company, VUI (Vanuatu Utilities & Infrastructure), an operation and maintenance contract for 8 months. The first solar production installations were commissioned in Tagabé (May 2011), Tanna (October 2011), and Malicollo (December 2012).
July 2011
Extension in Tanna and Malekula
Extension of the concession areas for the exploitation of Tanna and Malekula.
2012
Whole Efate coverage
Extension of the electric concession area to the whole island of Efate
July 2011
Extension in Tanna and Malekula
Extension of the concession areas for the exploitation of Tanna and Malekula.
2015
VNPF Stakeholder
VNPF takes a 14.4% stake in UNELCO
PAM
2016
Undine Bay solar farm set up
2017
XANT 3-propeller wind turbine
Commissioning of the XANT 3-propeller wind turbine (100 kW), in Kawene
2016
Undine Bay solar farm set up
2017
Kawene Solar Farm
Commissioning of the Kawene solar farm (1 MWp)
2018
Extension of the water service
Signature of the extension of the water service concession area.
2018
Increase VNPF Shareholder
VNPF shareholder of UNELCO up to 40%
2019
Water in Teouma Ville
Extension of the Water concession in Téouma Ville
2019
+9% VNPF Shareholder
VNPF shareholder of UNELCO at 49%
2020
End of contract
End of the Tanna and Mallicolo concession contract
2021
MIRIDIMETA
The launch of the new MIRIDIMETA service
2021
Electricity in Malafau
Extension of the electricity network in MALAFAU
2022
Electricity in Etas 1
Extension of the electricity network in ETAS 1.
2022
Electricity in Meten
Extension of the electricity network in METEN.
2023
Extension of water supply in Teouma
Signing of the extension of the water supply concession in the TEOUMA valley