New Zealand has given Tonga more than $US9.6 million for upgrades and improvements to be made to the electricity network.

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

The grant is expected to directly benefit over 2,000 households and businesses in 12 villages around Kolomotu'a and Kolofo'ou through a safer, more resilient and cheaper system.

The Nuku'alofa Network Upgrade Project follows on from the successful upgrade of 55 rural villages in Tongatapu.

Just over $US2 million will go towards the Tongatapu Village Network Upgrade following damage caused by February's Cyclone Gita.

Tonga's government estimates the energy sector reconstruction costs to be at US$46 million and has requested assistance from New Zealand, Australia and the Asian Development Bank.