Officials from different governmental organizations, including MPII, MOF, MAFE, PPUC, Melekeok State Government, headed by Minister Charles Obichang, visited Okinawa, Japan on November 7-9. The purpose of the visit is to observe facilities related to Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), the technology to generate power from temperature difference between surface water and deep-sea water.
The participants were invited to the program by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA is currently implementing a study to investigate feasibility of OTEC in Pacific Island Countries, where temperature difference between surface water and deep-sea water is large. Palau has been considered as the one of the countries with the highest potential.
In Kumejima, a small island in Okinawa, demonstration of OTEC has been conducted for 10 years, and this technology is now about to move into practical stage. Kumejima island also shares a similar vision with Palau to increase the development of renewable energy. While Palau has declared to pursue a renewable energy goal of 100% by year 2032, Kumejima Island has made a similar declaration for 100% by year 2040. Deep-sea water is not only utilized for OTEC, but also for other usages including cooling system, potable water, agriculture, or aquaculture. The deep-sea water related industry on Kumejima has created 140 jobs in the island with population of 7,000 and generated annual sales of 2.5 billion yen, or about 16 million USD. The participants were briefed on the economic potential of deep-sea water industries including OTEC, in Kumejima.