The Cook Islands is set to install a number of solar power plants, thanks to a $24.28 million (£15.4) fund.

The European Union and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support the project, which includes the installation of solar systems on six of its islands – with a total generation capacity of 3MW.

The project is expected to save 1.09 million litres of diesel usage every year and cut carbon emissions by nearly 3,000 tonnes.

The Cook Islands depends heavily on imported fuels and electricity costs are among the highest in the Pacific, according to the ADB.

Woo Yul Lee, Pacific Department Energy Specialist at the ADB said: “Lowering the Cook Islands’ reliance on fossil fuels will help free up government funds for other needs while improving national energy security and sustainability.

“This project will assist the Cook Islands to fulfill its goal of delivering renewable energy to all its islands by 2020.”