Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2010
(4) Resources and Energy
In developing countries, there are approximately 1.5 billion people who have no access to electric power, which is equivalent to 22% of the world’s population (Note 26).
The lack of energy services leads to problems including a lack of industrial development, the loss of employment opportunities, poverty, and limited chances to receive medical services and education. It is expected that the world’s energy demand will increase centering on newly emerging countries and developing countries in Asia and other regions in the future, and the steady supply of energy and appropriate consideration for the environment is essential.
<Japan’s Efforts>
In order to secure sustainable development and energy for developing countries, Japan works for the stable supply of electric power in order to provide modern energy services and to nurture industry. Japan provides support for environmentally-friendly infrastructure development, such as boosting the efficiency of energy usage and power generation facilities that utilize renewable energy.
When it comes to resource abundant countries, Japan assists with the independent development of the country by obtaining foreign currency through resource development. Japan also works to establish and strengthen comprehensive and strategic relations by providing them with assistance including infrastructural supports centering on mines according to their needs. It is important to use ODA in addition to assistance from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI), and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), in order to secure the supplies of resources, energy, and metal resources through smooth resource development, production, and transport by private enterprises.
Notes:
(26) Source: World Energy Outlook 2009, International Energy Agency.
●Nepal: Project for Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System
Almost 100% of the electric power in Nepal is generated by hydroelectric power, but there is a substantial shortfall in hydroelectric power generation relative to the demand. Because of this, blackouts are carried out for 16 to 18 hours a day during the dry season. The introduction of diesel power generation has been considered in order to increase the amount of electric power supplied, but Nepal is dependent on imports for all of its petroleum fuel, and so an increase in the consumption of such fuels could potentially pose a major stumbling block to economic growth. In addition, it would also pose problems from the perspective of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide. For this reason, promoting the construction of new hydroelectric power stations and promoting the use of solar power and other renewable energies are important challenges. Japan is moving forward with introducing the first interconnected solar power generation system in Nepal through a grant aid worth ¥660 million. This is designed to disseminate and promote solar power generation systems in Nepal, build up a track record of operating such systems, foster technicians, and more.