Page 55 - 國合會2016電子書-英文

Special Reports

Interview 1

Hon. Alfred Alfred Jr.,
Minister of Resources and Development

Marshall Islands Home Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Project is a firm commitment of Taiwan and the
Marshall Islands against climate changes

Most of the electricity used Key effect for increasing the International Renewable Energy
in the Republic of the Marshall proportion of renewable energy Agency (IRENA) for providing
Islands (RMI), Taiwan’s ally in Of this project, Marshall Islands capital and technical assistance to
South Pacific, is generated by Minister for Resources and allow the country to reach its target
diesel, with 90 percent of the Development, Hon. Alfred Alfred Jr. for renewable energy ahead of the
energy consumed dependent states that small island countries will timeframe identified. In particular,
on imported fossil fuels. Due to be most heavily affected by global the project with the TaiwanICDF
long transportation routes and warming and, at present, the nation represents not just a solid
limited storage facilities, the cost is under grave threat from sea level commitment by the two countries
of electricity can be as high as rise associated with climate change, against climate change, but a new
NT$10/kWh (the average for which is not only hindering national chapter in their cooperation on the
households in Taiwan is around development, but also threatening issue of global warming.
NT$3/kWh) and this high cost has the very existence of the islands, its
been an economic burden for people and the Marshallese culture.
many years. The Government of He emphasizes that swelling seas
the RMI is therefore keen to use and land erosion are a pressing
renewable energy to partly replace danger but even more urgent is
diesel for power generation the country’s energy problem. The
and thus reduce the country’s Marshall Islands government has
dependence on fossil fuel. thus aimed to achieve the target of
In November 2016, the generating 20 percent of electrical
TaiwanICDF and the RMI signed energy from renewables by 2020
an agreement to launch the Home and hopes that 90 percent of rural
Energy Efficiency and Renewable households can have access to
Energy Project. Through this clean, reliable and environmentally-
project, the TaiwanICDF will sustainable energy. “When I was
provide financing to the Marshall a deputy minister in the Ministry of
Islands on a reimbursable basis to Finance I discussed this project
allow households to obtain loans with the TaiwanICDF. Now I am
from banks to purchase energy the Minister of Resources and
efficient appliances to reduce Development and I think this project
electricity consumption, as well will have a key effect in increasing
as install solar panels on their the use of renewable energy in the
roofs, so solar power can partially RMI and will serve as a model for
replace diesel and the money and encourage other similar clean
saved on electricity can be used energy projects.”
to repay their loans. The aim is to The national energy policy of the
decrease dependence on fossil Marshall Islands is based on the
fuels and increase clean energy as theme of ‘many partners, one team,’
a proportion of overall electricity and Minister Alfred Jr. is very grateful
portfolio. to Taiwan, the European Union,
United Arab Emirates, Italy and the

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