Energy Planning Department

Our Vision

A sustainable, reliable, affordable, and accessible energy system that supports economic growth, community wellbeing, and environmental protection for all people of Kiribati.

Our Mission

To lead and support the energy sector by promoting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, strengthening energy security, ensuring a secure fuel supply, and working together with partners to deliver safe and affordable energy services nationwide.

Our Motto

“Let’s Do It” — Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE)

Energy Planning Department

The Energy Planning Department is responsible for guiding and regulating Kiribati’s energy sector. Our work focuses on ensuring energy security by making sure that electricity and fuel are safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible for communities across all islands of Kiribati.

EPD monitors and regulates energy activities to ensure services meet national standards and comply with the Energy Act 2022. Through independent oversight and forward planning, we help reduce supply risks, protect consumers, and support sustainable development for present and future generations.

Working Together for Energy Security

The department believes that strong partnerships are essential to ensuring energy security. We work closely with MISE State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), including:

• Public Utilities Board (PUB)
• Kiribati Oil Company Limited (KOIL)
• Kiribati Grid Electricity Services (KGES)

What We Do

Our work directly supports households, businesses, and public services by:

• Managing national energy data to support better planning and long-term energy security.
• Inspecting petroleum storage facilities to ensure the safety and reliability of fuel supplies.
• Promoting energy efficiency to help reduce costs and ease pressure on fuel imports.
• Supporting and approving renewable energy projects, especially solar energy, to strengthen energy independence.
• Licensing electricity generation projects and permitting local electrical contractors.
• Assisting government offices and communities with energy audits, electrical surveys, and testing of new electrical installations in homes, schools, clinics, and public buildings.

How We Are Organized

To better serve communities and strengthen energy security nationwide, the Department is organized into:

• Electrical Regulation Unit
• Energy Efficiency Unit
• Renewable Energy Unit
• Petroleum Regulation Unit
• Policy, Planning and Management Unit

Civil Engineering Department 

The Civil Engineering Department (CED) is mandatory to provide planning and management, engineering investigation and recommendation, and inspection and monitoring of civil infrastructures both on air, land and marine, except buildings.

 The CED consists of about 50 permanent staffs stationed at two different sites. One unit at the MISE headquarters sitting up to five employees including engineers and inspectors. The other sites are located at the Civil Yard office holding up 46 employees to cover construction, maintenance, and mechanic works. 

The CED is currently managing and implementing a number of ongoing civil engineering projects in line with Government’s manifesto and the Kiribati Development Plan (KDP) for the next four years and paved the infrastructure to meet Kiribati Vision in 20 years’ time (KV20). These projects include the following;

• Outer island Road Upgrading Project funded by the Government targeting the first four outer islands with approximately 73 km of paved roads. The first islands include Butaritari, Abemama, Tab North and Nikunau. The existing road to Outer Islands is to be upgraded using geocell concrete surface, and airfield runway is to be sealed with rigid pavement.
• KOITIIP is World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project to improve maritime infrastructures targeting four islands including Tab South, Nonouti, Beru and Abaiang.
• The upgrading to the S.Tarawa feeder roads targets 6 km of road from Anraei to Tanaea, Buota, Tekawai ae Boou and Temaiku loop road.
• On-going maintenance to existing civil infrastructures such as seawalls, roads and causeways both in the rural and urban areas are part of the CED work plans.
• Ongoing services on MISE flee machines in addition to procuring more machines.

To be efficient in the implementation of the construction and maintenance role, the CED owns, operates and maintains a fleet of heavy vehicles, plants and equipment.

Corporate Services Department

The Corporate Services Department is headed by the Secretary, will be responsible for policy development and planning, discipline, execution, and oversight of the sub-divisional levels of Finance & Accounting, Administration, Human Resource, Research, Project Planning, and Information and Communication. 

The Department is also responsible for the management of activities related to the oversight and supervision of MISE Technical Divisions through or by way of the Director General, and SOEs that are under the purview of the MISE.

Overview

The Water and Sanitation Engineering Division (WSED) is mandated to ensure that the people of Kiribati have reliable access to safe and sufficient water supplies and improved sanitation facilities and practices.

Main Goal: 

“To increase inclusive and sustainable access to potable water and safe sanitation systems through risk-informed and climate-resilient innovations.”

Key Responsibilities

WSED oversees, coordinates, and implements various water and sanitation projects across Kiribati, with support from multiple development partners. The Department ensures that all programs align with national goals for sustainable water management, climate resilience, and community well-being.

Ongoing Projects and Initiatives

Water Scarcity Project - Focuses on developing an Asset Management Plan, improving solar water reticulation systems, and maintaining desalination plants across the outer islands.

WASH from the Start - Aims to support surveying, monitoring, and planning for the repair and rehabilitation of WASH facilities, particularly in healthcare centres and schools. The project also promotes WASH awareness at both community and institutional levels.

South Tarawa Sanitation Project (STSP) - Works to expand access to the existing 3Bs (Bik. Bai. Bet) sewage infrastructure, improve fecal sludge management, and strengthen operation and maintenance (O&M) of sanitation systems, including saltwater supply and sewerage networks. In addition, the project also focuses on improving sanitation on four villages on South Tarawa, namely Nanikaai, Teaoraereke West, Abarao and Ananau Causeway, through construction of household and communal onsite sanitation facilities. The primary objective of the project is to scale up access to safely managed sanitation to the people on South Tarawa and to strengthen the institutional capacity of MISE and PUB as service providers.

South Tarawa Water Supply Project (STWSP) - Focuses on the construction of two desalination plants (Betio and McKenzie), the procurement of a water distribution network, and water management services. The project also incorporates Water Awareness Programs, Sanitation Pilots, and Water Reserve Management initiatives. The project aims to provide potable water to South Tarawa and Betio, from the Betio and McKenzie desalination plants, on a 24/7 basis.

Governance for Resilience Project -  Scope of works for this project is on the  two islands which are North Tarawa and Banaba which focused on the maintenance and operation of existing rainwater harvesting systems through risk informed decision approach. The project aims to improve the existing rainwater harvesting systems in providing potable water to the local community on North Tarawa and Banaba. https://www.undp.org/pacific/gov4res

Contact Information:

📞 Phone: 74026192 / 63030120

📠 Extension: 214 / 215

✉️ Email: wsed@mise.gov.ki

WSED Team

Architectural & Building Engineering Department

The Ministry of Infrastructure provides a range of technical support services to the public in the of building designs, building permits, advice on a variety of technical issues relating to water, sanitation, electricity, and energy and much more. Below offers some of the other technical issues and description of the duties and functions of the Division.