Despite problems confronted on its own soil, Japan proceeds with its commitment to fund a photovoltaic project in Egypt.
Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced that it will proceed with plans to support a solar energy generating station south of Alexandria. Egypt applied to the aid agency for assistance with the “Project for the Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System” long before the Fukushima accident usurped all of Japan’s attention and capital. The plan, approved by JICA in February 2010, includes a 420 kilowatt photovoltaic power plant that is expected to produce 641,000 kw by 2012.
Japan has committed to donating $11 million to the plant that will be installed in Borg al-Arab. The power generated (somewhat disappointingly) will be used to support a sports club, shopping mall, and dormitories.
Other poor Egyptians, who lack access to funding, are developing alternative solar heating solutions.
According to Bikya Masr, Masaki Kudo from JICA supervises the Kurayamat solar hybrid plant near and notes that the authorities (whoever they may be as the country battles a bevy of post-revolution trouble) is looking to renewable energy to meet what amounts to a 10% annual growth in energy growth.
JICA will provide the equipment, and Egyptians will provide the manpower.
Given the ubiquity of Egypt’s solar resources, and the numerous dangers associated with nuclear power (though Egypt has yet to abandon its nuclear energy ambitions), we applaud this move.
:: Bikya Masr
More on solar energy in Egypt:
Poor Egyptians are Finding Innovative Solutions to Build Solar Water Heating
Iberdrola Fires Up ISCC in Egypt, At Last
MIT Student Kindles Solar Manufacturing in Egypt
image via uggboy
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
Thanks Mukund. Egypt needs a lot of help right now. Seems like everyone does these days. Thanks for tuning in.
Good to see Japan following through with this project despite the troubles at Fukushima. Hopefully there can be further solar plans to help the poor Egyptians.