Thursday, August 1, 2024 /// DYCA PIO
Colonia, Yap – On July 31, 2024, at 1:00 PM, representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Okinawa Electric Power Company Inc. Group paid a courtesy call to Yap State Honorable Governor Charles Chieng at the Governor's Office. This session focused on upcoming projects and technical assistance in the energy and power sector for Yap State.
In attendance were Victor Nabeyan, General Manager of Yap State Public Service Corporation (YSPSC); Ogawa Tadayuki, Senior Advisor of Energy and Power Sector at JICA; Yusuke Kuniba, P.E., General Manager for Sales & Marketing Unit; Masanori Shimbuku, Energy Development Department Energy Group Leader; Yuma Uezu, Chief Engineer; Yoshitake Jana, Chief Engineer; and Luis Kakefuku, Technical Advisor. The agenda included discussions and the introduction of upcoming projects for energy transitions in Pacific island countries with SeEd Okinawa LLC, Okinawa Enetech Co. Inc. ,and Okinawa Electric Power Company.
The Honorable Governor Chieng of Yap State welcomed JICA representative and the Okinawa Electric Power Company Inc. Group, expressing gratitude for their continued support and collaboration. He emphasized Yap's growth potential and the importance of leveraging external assistance to achieve sustainable development, referring to Yap as "a home away from home" for the visiting team.
Mr. Ogawa Tadayuki, Senior Advisor of JICA, elaborated on JICA's Hybrid Power System Project aimed at assisting Pacific countries in their energy transition. He emphasized the importance of reducing dependency on fossil fuels and promoting energy conservation projects. The session included discussions on the four key issues identified by JICA, the need for sustainability, the island’s capacity, and data management to reduce reliance on imported energy.
Governor Chieng acknowledged the resources available to Yap and the importance of implementing the right tools and equipment. He thanked JICA for their outreach and support, emphasizing the need for gradual independence from fossil fuels, as advised by Mr. Tadayuki.
YSPSC General Manager, Mr. Nabeyan requested participation of the state’s representatives from the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) and Department of Resources and Development (R&D) in the working groups. He emphasized the need for collaboration with off-island consultants to design systems that would benefit Yap State.
The meeting covered the structure of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), which includes government officials and various agencies. Discussions also focused on the types of tools and equipment required by YSPSC and the importance of promoting energy transition within the state.
Looking ahead, the JICA project, which includes FSM, Fiji, Samoa, Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu, aims to continue over the next five years, with additional countries potentially joining. Regional training programs are planned to establish sustainable systems with minimal external assistance. Representatives from Okinawa shared their experiences and knowledge in providing renewable energy solutions, highlighting the similarities between Okinawa and FSM in terms of geographical and climatic challenges. They expressed a desire to share innovative technologies and techniques that have proven effective on their islands.
(For further clarification, please contact DYCA PIO at 350-2168.)
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