MASTER TECHNIQUES from Japan to the World 3

Supporting Renewable Energy Projects in Tonga with “Made in Okinawa” Knowledge and Technology
– Introduction of Disaster-Resistant Wind Power Generation (Tiltable Wind Turbines) –

A study tour of the tiltable wind turbines for Tongan students (Photo: Progressive Energy Corporation)

Assembling wind turbines together with Tongan engineers (Photo: Progressive Energy Corporation)

Tonga, an island country in the South Pacific, has limited energy resources and a large portion of the power supply is generated by imported diesel. As an island country, transportation costs are relatively high, resulting in high electricity prices. Tonga is also vulnerable to fluctuations in international energy prices, which in turn affect both national finances and the daily lives of its citizens. In response to the two challenges that it faces—ensuring energy security and reducing global greenhouse gas emissions—Tonga has been actively promoting the adoption of renewable energy since 2010 through the implementation of the “Tonga Energy Road Map (TERM).”

In this context, Progressive Energy Corporation (PEC), a member of the Okinawa Electric Power Company Group, worked with Tonga to introduce tiltable wind turbines, as Tonga and Okinawa face similar weather challenges, such as typhoons. Since 2009, PEC has been constructing, maintaining, and managing such turbines in the remote islands in Okinawa, taking advantage of the unique features of these turbines, which can be tilted nearly 90 degrees to the ground to prevent damage or collapse from strong typhoon winds, and enable easier maintenance compared to the conventional models. After exploring the possibility of expanding their technology to the global market as part of solutions to help countries facing similar disaster-related issues to Okinawa, PEC proposed a plan to introduce tiltable wind turbines in Tonga through JICA’s Collaboration Program with the Private Sector for Disseminating Japanese Technology. With the support from Japan’s grant, in 2019, they completed installing five tiltable wind turbines in Tongatapu Island where the capital, Nuku’alofa, is located.

Mr. GIBO Minoru, Managing Director of PEC, reflects, “To foster a better understanding of tiltable wind turbines, we invited engineers from Tonga Power Limited to Okinawa to have them experience maintenance operations firsthand. This stimulated their interest in introducing the turbines in Tonga.” Mr. CHINA Shunei, who was dispatched to Tonga as a technical staff member during the project, recalls the challenges he faced: “In addition to the language and cultural barriers I had, there were significant differences in safety awareness upon construction work in comparison to Japan. We took extra care and started from providing guidance on basic safety practices commonly observed in Japan, such as using harnesses when working at heights.” PEC not only provided such technical guidance on safety but also conducted training on equipment operation and maintenance. Mr. China added, “I would be happy to see the people of Tonga take ownership and apply the techniques they learned from Japan, rather than relying entirely on the technical expertise of Japanese people.”

Tonga’s wind power generation facilities were completed after eight years since PEC first started exploring the business overseas in 2012. Mr. Gibo recalls, “I was impressed when Tongan students from secondary school and local residents came to visit the site. They cheered as they saw the wind turbines completed. They also expected lower electricity costs.”

Mr. WAKUTA Morito, Manager of the Electric Section of the Engineering and Sales Department, says, “To my understanding, this Tonga case was Japan’s first grant project of installing the wind power plants. It is an honor for a small Okinawa-based company like ours to be part of such a major project. We would love to work with other countries facing similar challenges by making the best use of the experience and know-how we obtained through this project.”

Responding to such enthusiasm, five companies in the Okinawa Electric Power Group established a joint company “SeED Okinawa LLC” in 2021. It will serve as a one-stop facility to support a wider range of businesses introducing renewable energy worldwide, including not only wind power but also solar power generation. It is expected that the renewable energy technologies developed in Okinawa will be widely introduced overseas.

The Government of Tonga has set an ambitious target to achieve 100% renewable energy for its national electricity supply by 2035. By introducing clean energy solutions with less environmental impact, Japan remains committed to enhancing energy security in countries including Pacific Island countries, and working for the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.