(4) Resources and Energy

In developing countries, over 1.3 billion people (18% of the world’s population) have no access to electricity, and 2.6 billion people have no access to modern cooking facilities (for example, they cook with firewood). (Note 9) The lack of electricity, gas and other energy services can delay industrial development, decrease employment opportunities, increase poverty and restrict access to medical services and education. Demand for energy throughout the world, particularly in emerging and developing countries including Asia is expected to increase, so we need a consistent energy supply and to give due consideration to the environment.

<Japan’s Efforts>

In order to secure sustainable development and energy in developing countries, Japan works on the services of modern energy supply and the stable supply of power for industrial development. In addition, Japan provides support for the establishment of an environmentally-friendly infrastructure, such as construction of energy-saving equipments and power generation facilities that utilize renewable energy (hydropower, solar power, wind power, geothermal power, etc.).

Japan works with resource-rich countries to enable them to acquire foreign currency through the development of their resources and to develop independently. Japan also provides support to the resource-rich countries with establishing infrastructure in the areas around mines according to their needs. Through these supports, Japan will enhance mutually beneficial relationships with developing, resource-rich countries. This type of assistance leads to the smooth development of resources, production, and transportation by companies, making it possible to ensure the stable supply of energy and mineral resources. It is important to proactively use Japanese ODA in the resource and energy sectors alongside support from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC).

Japan also proactively supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a multinational cooperative framework for increasing transparency of the flow of money in development of oil, gas, mineral resources and others by having extracting corporations report the amount of money they pay to the governments of countries that produce the resources and having governments report the amount of money they receive. Forty-one resource-producing countries, many supporting countries including Japan, extractive corporations and NGOs are participating in EITI. They are working together to prevent corruption and conflict and encourage responsible resource development that leads to growth and poverty reduction.

A grid-connected photovoltaic power generation system was installed at the Kabul International Airport facility in Afghanistan. Approximately 35% of electricity demand of the international terminals is provided by this system. (Photo: Sayad Jan Sabawoon / JICA)

Note 9: Source: “World Energy Outlook 2013” International Energy Agency (estimates as of 2011)

●Kenya

1. Project for Capacity Development for Promoting Rural Electrification Using Renewable Energy
2. Establishment of Rural Electrification Model Using Renewable Energy
Technical Cooperation Project (1: August 2011 – Ongoing 2: March 2012 – Ongoing)

With priority placed on the organizational reform of the energy sector, bringing in private-sector vitality, and promoting the scaling-up of renewable energy, work is quickly under way to construct key transmission lines and power distribution lines in Kenya. Furthermore, the Government of Kenya is working to gradually bring electricity to areas without electrification, setting a target of increasing the rural electrification rate from under 10% as of 2009 to 40% by 2020. In addition, rapid progress has been made on electrification that makes use of renewable energy, including solar power generation. According to a study conducted by the Japanese Government in FY2009, in non-electrification areas, many of the facilities that generate electricity using renewable energy are small in scale. Nevertheless, electricity needs are very high, and the tasks ahead include utilizing proper technologies, establishing a model for scaling-up renewable energy, and building capacities for appropriate maintenance and management.

Accordingly, the Japanese Government, under the Project for Capacity Development for Promoting Rural Electrification Using Renewable Energy, dispatches long-term and short-term experts to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and promotes joint research and development, education and trainings, and the strengthening of business-academia-government partnerships in collaboration with the university. Through these activities, human resources are being developed to achieve the electrification of non-electrification areas by making use of renewable energy.

Under the Establishment of Rural Electrification Model Using Renewable Energy, the Japanese Government promotes the electrification of schools and other public facilities through various forms of power generations, including solar, small hydroelectric, and biomass. The Japanese Government also contributes to promoting the scaling-up of renewable energy in Kenya by supporting the establishment of a rural electrification model for smoothly scaling up renewable energy.
(As of August 2013)

Project for Capacity Development for Promoting Rural Electrification Using Renewable Energy (Photo: JICA)

Main Text | Statictics and Reference Materials | Stories from the field | ODA Topics