The Ngarchelong State Assembly passed a resolution expressing support for the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and urging the Congress to approve the deal.
The resolution, which was already transmitted to the office of Ngarchelong Governor Richard Ngiratrang, was passed during the second special session of the Ngarchelong State Assembly through majority vote.
The resolution stated that the State of Ngarchelong believes that the PPA is in the best interest of the people of Palau in terms of the economy and environment.
It expressed that through the deal, the people will be able to save millions of dollars while utilizing a great portion of the country’s energy from renewable sources.
“Global climate change, driven largely by international reliance on fossil fuels, presents an existential threat to island cultures and economic,” the resolution read.
“…addressing this global threat, and mitigating the threat it presents to island nations particularly, will require urgent and meaningful reforms in energy generation…,” it added.
Copies of the resolution were also transmitted to President Thomas Remengesau, Jr., Senate President Hokkons Baules, and House Speaker Sabino Anastacio.
The Ngarchelong resolution came after majority of the Senate voted no to the adoption of the House of Delegates’ resolution to ratify the PPA that the Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC)had previously entered with France-based company Engie EPS.
The signed deal was for the renewable energy project “Armonia”, which is Italian word for harmony, that was widely advertised to be “iconic” as it is deemed to meet Palau’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of generating 45% renewable energy under the Paris Agreement ahead of the 2025 target. (Rhealyn C. Pojas)