Solar panels for the FSM

2014/9/9

The solar panels installed at FSM President Office at the National Government Compound

Receiving the key. From right: Ambassador Eiichi Suzuki, FSM President Emanuel Mori, Pohnpei Governor John Ehsa, General Manager of PUC Mr. Feliciano Perman

On January 25, 2013 a much anticipated event was held at the FSM National Government grounds to celebrate the completion of a “the Project for the Introduction of Clean Energy by Solar Electricity Generation System”. This project was requested by the FSM Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs as a result of complications of the electric power situation in some of the FSM states.

In response, the Government of Japan granted the amount of $5,295,275 to install solar panels at two locations: the FSM government compound, specifically on the rooftop of the FSM President’s Office, and at the College of Micronesia National Campus in Pohnpei. At the College, it was decided that the parking lots were better suited to harness sunlight when the roofs of the buildings are facing various directions.

This project also includes technical assistance such as training for maintenance and lectures for basic knowledge of the solar panel system. The following companies implemented this project:

1. Crown Agents

2. NBK

3. Yachiyo Engineering Corporation

4. Wakachiku Corporation

5. Sojitz Corporation

6. Yonden (Shikoku Electric Power Corporation)

7. Shikoku Research Institute

Hon. Secretary Lorin Robert represented the FSM Government and reiterated FSM’s appreciation for being granted this project and also directly supporting FSM’s efforts toward a “greener” Micronesia or “GEM” (Green Energy Micronesia). He added that “we cannot talk about economic development or private sector development without energy in the equation”. Ambassador Eiichi Suzuki also presented his remarks and officially handed the project over to FSM President Emanuel Mori.

Since the these projects were realized by various sectors of the FSM National Government and the Pohnpei State Government, Pohnpei Governor John Ehsa and the General Manager of Pohnpei Public Utilities Corportations (PUC), Mr. Felciano Perman also received the official handing of the “key”. Representing COM-FSM was Dr. Joseph Daisy, President of the College. The ceremony was a success with the attendance of high officials of the state and national government, NGO representatives, and government employees as well to witness this momentous event.

FSM President Emanuel Mori receives the picture panel of the Project from Ambassador Eiichi Suzuki