Signing of Grant Agreement with the Marshall Islands: Contributing to a stable supply of power and reduced fuel consumption through the introduction of a solar power generation system
On November 22, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to provide grant aid of up to 1.07 billion yen for the Project for the Installation of Solar Electricity Generation System in Ebeye Island.
The project will install solar power generation equipment, battery system, grid connection equipment and the like on Ebeye Island, which has the second largest population in the country and is located in the Kwajalein Atoll. These measures will ensure a stable supply of power and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels through the introduction and promotion of renewable energy, thereby contributing to a stronger economic growth base and to countermeasures for the environment and to fight climate change in the Marshall Islands.
With limited energy resources, the Marshall Islands rely on diesel power generation, using imported fuel for more than 99 percent of the power generated. Imported fuel might threaten the stable management of electric utilities due to the fluctuation in global oil prices, and has an impact on the lives of residents due to the high price of electricity when fuel transportation costs are factored in. As imported fuel is the sole energy source for power generation, the Marshall Islands have energy security vulnerabilities, such as the risk of long-term power outages when there is an equipment malfunction or fuel shipments are delayed by inclement weather. As Ebeye Island is further dependent on desalination facilities that require a great deal of power for its water supply, a stable supply of power is also essential from the perspective of supplying water to residents.
The project will promote the introduction of renewable energy on Ebeye Island, and it is expected that the project will make a contribution toward achieving the target of providing 20 percent of the power supply with renewable energy by 2020, which was established by the Government of the Marshall Islands.
| [Basic project information] | |
| Country | Republic of the Marshall Islands |
| Project title | The Project for the Installation of Solar Electricity Generation System in Ebeye Island |
| Planned implementation period | 36 months, including detailed design work and the bidding period |
| Executing agency | Kwajalein Atoll Joint Utility Resources |
| Target region, facilities | Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll |
| Specific project details (provisional) | Equipment: Solar power generation equipment (output: 600 kilowatts), battery sysytem, equipment for connecting the grid to the transmission lines, other Consulting services: Detailed design work, bidding assistance, procurement supervision, (as guidance in managing the facilities) guidance in operating and maintaining the solar power generation system |
Source: jica.go.jp
