Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and Tuvalu » Past Assistance Projects to Tuvalu » Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)» Speech

Grant Contract Signing Ceremony for the Project for Provision of Solar Power Generation System to Funafuti Island

Speech by Mr. Tatsushi Matsuo, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, 13th September 2007, Tuvalu

Good morning everyone,
Talofa,

Let me take this opportunity to say how pleased I am to be here and I thank you all for the warm welcome and kind hospitality extended to me in this beautiful country of yours.

Today, I am delighted to represent the Ambassador of Japan to Tuvalu, His Excellency Masashi Namekawa, in formalizing Japan’s funding assistance to this solar energy project that will light up this nation and your future to prosperity.

In 2005, the Government of Japan, through its General Grant Aid, had assisted the Government of Tuvalu to upgrade the diesel power generation facility to increase the electricity supply capacity to meet the increasing demand, and, in view of rising fuel cost, Japan further offered to help Tuvalu by subsidizing fuel cost for the power generation through its Non Project Grant Aid scheme since 2005.

Recent fiscal constraints and high price of crude oil forced the government of Tuvalu and Tuvalu Electricity Cooperation to explore the possibility of establishing a solar power generation facility that uses renewable energy. Therefore, in view of the need for an economical, reliable and environment friendly power supply to stimulate growth and development, the Government of Japan, in line with its Official Development Assistance policy of promoting development at the grassroots level, decided to provide the fund through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Programme in order to enhance Tuvalu’s attempt to introduce solar power generation system, in collaboration with the e8 project led by Kansai Electric Power Cooperation of Japan.

It is anticipated that this project will supplement diesel power generation and thereby, reduce the economical and social costs of producing electricity in the long term. As a pilot model for a grid-connected solar power system, the solar power generation project for Tuvalu would facilitate sustainable energy development in the Pacific region. In addition, the renewable energy utilization project can be seen as a symbolic message to the world, especially the countries that could become an unwitting victim of global warming. Therefore, the success of this joint project is a hope of not only Tuvalu people but also all the people worrying the global warming.

Finally, it is hoped that this token of friendship and goodwill extended to the Government and the people of Tuvalu from the Government and people of Japan will serve to further strengthen the cooperative relations and the friendship ties between people of Tuvalu and Japan.

I look forward to the successful completion of this project, and sincerely hope that upon completion of this project the people of Tuvalu will greatly benefit in years to come.

Thank you
Fakafetai

Bilateral Relations » Japan's Economic Cooperation between Japan and Tuvalu » Past Assistance Projects to Tuvalu » Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)