Utilities of Nauru

utilities

Power

After significant government reforms and infrastructure investment, 24-hour electricity has been available on the island since 2005. Diesel-powered generators maintained by the Nauru Phosphate Corporation previously provided Nauru’s power supply. The subsequent dismantling of the Nauru Phosphate Corporation and government restructuring lead to the government-run Nauru Utilities Authority taking responsibility for the power supply.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Resources is responsible for energy policy and is carrying out feasibility studies for alternative energy sources, including a pilot wind power project in Anabar sponsored by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme. Nauru has no indigenous supply of fossil fuels and relies entirely upon imported diesel for energy production and water desalination. No major oil companies operate out of or have a presence in Nauru. There is one service station on the island.

 

Water

There are frequent droughts and a shortage of fresh water on Nauru, the only local source being the Buada Lagoon, which is no longer used for drinking. The Nauru Utilities Authority supplies fresh water to the island using a diesel-fuelled desalination plant, which used to be operated by the Nauru Phosphate Corporation. As part of their National Sustainable Development Strategy, the government has been digging wells for community use in each district, although there is little water quality control or surveillance. All bottled water is imported. The Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation is responsible for Nauru’s sewage system.

 

Telecoms

The state-owned RONTEL is the supplier of main telephone lines in the country. Cenpacnet Inc, which has been operating since 2000, is Nauru’s only internet provider; it is jointly owned and operated by RONTEL and the Ministry for Nauru Phosphate Royalties Trust. Cenpacnet also operates the .nr domain name and maintains a webmail server. Mobile phone coverage in Nauru began in 2009 with a partnership between Digicel, a large regional mobile phone network provider, and the government. The Ministry of Telecommunications is responsible for monitoring and regulating the telecoms industry.