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Energy Services (Program Area D)

Achievements of the RMI Renewable Energy Program to Date (as of November 2006):

1. National Energy Policy Adopted (2003) Covers six core areas, including renewable energy and energy efficiency

2. Namdrik and Mejit Islands SHS (ongoing) Consists of almost 200 systems for houses, churches and community centers

3. Wotho Atoll and Wodmej Island Solar Home Program Consists of approximately 60 units for these two locations. Installation is expected to begin in November 2006

4. EU 9th EDF for Outer Islands Solar Electrification Project Approx. $1.9 to purchase 400 SHS for Ailinglaplap Atoll and installed by January 2008

Solar Lanterns project for outer island communities—certain amount of funds will be allocated to purchase solar lanterns for outer island households

5. Taiwan Government $3 million for Outer Islands Solar Electrification Project Funds will provide 937 solar home units manufactured by MoTech Industries of Taiwan for outer islands communities

6. Coconut oil (CNO) based Bio-fuel as a diesel substitute Local copra miller Tobolar producing and selling 100% CNO and 50/50 CNO & Diesel blend. Government agencies and private sector have switched from diesel to bio-fuel to save on fuel costs

7. Feasibility Study on CNO based Biofuel for Rural Electrification (Oct. 2006) This study will be funded by UNDP with assistance from SOPAC in conducting a field assessment in one remote atoll to determine the feasibility of producing coconut oil and running a small (to medium size) genset on CNO for rural electrification

8. Outer Islands Electrification Strategy (2006) This document covers different components of rural electrification project planning and implementation. Part of PIEPSAP cooperation in the RMI, the OIES supports the Ministry of RND’s 5 Year Strategic Plan and the National Development Strategy (Vision 2018)

9. Majuro Atoll Lighting Project 10,000 energy efficient light bulbs donated by UK based Climate Care to reduce CO2 emissions by 3000 tonnes per year and individual homeowners electricity costs by at least 40%. This project will be installed and monitiored closely by the Marshalls Energy Company

DOWNLOAD: RMI Energy Policy (2002)

DOWNLOAD: Acting for the Development of MI Renewable Energy (2005 report)

 

Program D1: Outer Island Electrification

Objectives

  • Providing access to electricity in the outer islands in a way which contributes to real economic development of outer island communities.

Measures

  • Number of outer island households with access to electricity

  • Impact on quality of life (need measures here)

Background

  • Access to electricity is important to economic and social development  in the Outer Islands of the RMI.  This program involves developing appropriate strategies for Outer Island Electrification, and access to other sources of power such as fuel.  The approach of this program requires significant rethinking of electrification strategies up to this point, including the costs, benefits and lessons learned from solar electrification.

  • The program is strongly supported by SOPAC under the Forum Secretariat.  This program also links very strongly with Special Program 1: Coconut Value Chain Development.

Strategies

  • Careful assessment of needs and uses of outer islands for electricity and development of appropriate electrification strategies;

  • Integration with Coconut Value Chain Development Project;

  • Focus on developing fuel sources in the form of coconut oil processed on-island.

Key Stakeholders and Partners

  • SOPAC

  • MEC

  • Local Governments

  • Private sector

Possible Issues/ Constraints

  • This program is highly dependent on technical and financial assistance from SOPAC.

  • It also involves a significant shift in policy away from solar and there may be parties with vested interests in this area.

 

Program D2: Other Energy Services

Objectives

  • To provide energy policy development and other energy services in a way that contributes to the social and economic development of the Marshall Islands.

Measures

  • Production and dissemination of policy documents

Background

  • RMI is heavily dependent on imported fuel for its energy supply. Currently, a gallon of gas costs $3 on island and $5-$7 in the outer islands. Preliminary figures show that power generated from copra oil costs around 40 cents/kWh, while solar electricity costs three times this amount, about $1.20/kWh.

  • There is a strong need to re-evaluate current fuel pricing policies and other related
    regulations in order to provide recommendations for policy development.

Strategies

  • Policy development and implementation

  • Education and awareness campaigns

  • Information management to assist in policy development

Key Stakeholders and Partners

  • MEC

  • SOPAC
    Local Governments

  • Private sector

Possible Issues/ Constraints

None identified.