Japan looks at wind power generation for Tonga [1]
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 - 17:33
Wind power energy may be the next big source of renewable energy, after solar energy, to help reduce Tonga’s heavy reliance on diesel for power generation.
Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will carry out a six-months feasibility study soon.
The wind power study follows close behind the opening of Tonga's third solar plant. The plant which has the first Stabilising Capacitor and Micro-grid Control System was funded by JICA with USD$14.7 million and handed over to the Government of Tonga.
Wind power generation, if feasible for Tonga, will also help contribute to the Government’s ambitious goal to reduce its reliance on diesel fuel for its power generation by 50-percent by 2020.
Masayoshi Ono, the Country Officer for the Pacific and Southeast Asia Department, at the JICA headquarters in Tokyo, said on 21 October a new Hybrid Islands Initiative is aimed to provide smart energy integration for resilient countries.
JICA administers Japan’s Official Development Assistance including technical cooperation, ODA loans and grant aid. During PALM 7 this year, Japan specially focused issues included energy through the Hybrid Islands Initiative.
Takashi Toyama the Director of the Pacific and South East Asia Division, JICA HQ, confirmed they will start a study this year or early next year for about six months, using JICA officials.
He said Pacific Island countries are exposed to economic and environmental instabilities such as rises in the prices of crude oil, food and natural disasters affected by climate change.
In the 2012 fiscal year (reported in 2013), JICA’s operational costs amounted to $1 billion yen for the Pacific region, with technical cooperation at $4.2 million yen, ODA loan $4.9 million and grant aid newly distributed at $7.4 million.
JICA is the largest bilateral agency in 150 countries and regions and has some 100 overseas offices including Tonga.