Palau and TEPCO sign agreement to decrease reliance on fossil fuels

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., of Japan, and Palau government leaders signed a framework agreement on technical cooperation to create carbon neutral societies in both countries.

According to the framework, “personnel will be dispatched to contribute to the development of a sustainable power industry,” and the parties will engage in “a joint project aimed at optimizing power grid management in conjunction with the installation of renewable energies, etc.”

Palau is aiming to reach 100% renewable energy by 2032. To that end, Palau has constructed solar panels on different islands. There is an issue with grid management, however, as output sometimes exceeds power demand.

From left: Peter Adelbai, Palau's ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Japan; Minister Gustav N. Aitaro, Palau Ministry of State; Hiroyuki Orikasa, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to Palau; Minister Charles Obichang, Palau Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries; President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., Palau; Tomoaki Kobayakawa, president of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.; Seiichi Suzuki, head of overseas business office, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc.; Minister Kaleb Udui, Jr., Palau Ministry of Finance; Ngiratmetuchel Reagan Belechel, chairman of Palau Public Utilities Corporation Board of Directors.

According to the TEPCO Group press release, the group aims to create a safe and sustainable society and reduce CO2 emissions originating from the supply of energy to virtually zero by 2050. To this end, it has conducted field experiments on Japanese islands and constructed power grid facilities that increase the ratio of renewable energies, such as wind power and solar power, to establish a technical means for managing supply-demand by combining storage batteries with existing power facilities. The TEPCO Group will leverage the know-how in decarbonization technologies and power grid management technologies that it has cultivated domestically and abroad to help promote Palau’s carbon neutrality goals.

Palau’s Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries, and Palau Public Utilities Corporation will be working with the Japanese power company.

The framework falls in line with the Joint Action Plan formulated during the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting held hosted in Japan, July 16-18. President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and other leaders from member nations of the Pacific Islands Forum participated. Out of that meeting came a call for cooperation in promoting green energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels that are costly and contribute to global warming.

Palau and TEPCO sign agreement to decrease reliance on fossil fuels