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The Republic of Palau Pursuing a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Future

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The Republic of Palau Pursuing a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Future OIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIA The Republic of Palau Pursuing a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Future The Republic of Palau is located roughly 500 miles east of the Philippines in the Western Pacific Ocean. The country consists of 189 square miles of land spread over more than 340 islands, only nine of which are inhabited: 95% of the land area lies within a single reef structure that includes the islands of Babeldaob (a.k.a. Babelthuap), Peleliu and Koror. Palau and the United States have a strong relationship as enshrined in the Compact of Free Association, U.S. Public Law 99-658. Palau has made a concerted effort in goals set forth in its energy policy. recent years to address the technical, The country completed its National policy, social and economic hurdles Climate Change Policy in 2015 and Energy & Climate Facts to deploying energy efficiency and made a commitment to reduce Total capacity (2015): 40.1 MW renewable energy technologies, and has national greenhouse gas emissions Diesel: 38.8 MW taken measures to mitigate and adapt to (GHGs) as part of the United Nations Solar PV: 1.3 MW climate change. This work is grounded in Framework Convention on Climate Total generation (2014): 78,133 MWh Palau’s 2010 National Energy Policy. Change (UNFCCC). Demand for electricity (2015): Palau has also developed an energy action However with a population of just Average/Peak: 8.9/13.5 MW plan to outline concrete steps the island over 21,000 and a gross national GHG emissions per capita: 13.56 tCO₂e nation could take to achieve the energy income per capita of only US$11,110 (2011) in 2014, Palau will need assistance Residential electric rate: $0.28/kWh 7°45|N (2013 average) Arekalong from the international community in REPUBLIC Peninsula order to fully implement its energy Population (2015): 21,265 OF PALAU and climate goals. Babelthuap 242m 7°30|N Melekeok “Climate Change is a real life threat to us and we ... must take action now to protect ourselves.” 1 Koror Mayungs Airai “There is still time to tackle climate change, the greatest challenge of our times, all Koror countries and all people have a role to play in building a more sustainable future … 7°15|N Rock Urukthapel Islands We have committed to provide 20% of our energy through renewable resources by Eil Malk 2020 and are already three quarters of the way there. We have also 70 Islands committed to become carbon neutral by 2050.” 2 Carp — Tommy Remengesau, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau 7°N Belilou 1 http://www.pireport.org/articles/2014/12/01/palau-launches-climate-change-policy-action-plan-process. 0 5 10 15mi 2 http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/palau-president-time-for-global-action-on-climate-change/. Angaur 0 10 20 30km OIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIA OIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIA Current OIA- will include revised priorities and Palau- energy baselines and identify opportunities Sponsored Activities specific technical requirements in order to for expanding the role of energy efficiency prioritize projects that achieve the optimal, and renewables. Renewable resource assessment — most cost-effective energy savings. Energy efficiency — An economic NREL is working with Palau to understand Climate change planning — A national assessment to evaluate the costs and the potential for wind and solar resources climate change policy was developed. benefits of retrofitting Palau’s high-pressure to support the country’s renewable energy With additional support from the U.S. sodium street lights. The retrofits began goals. NREL has analyzed solar and wind State Department, NREL assisted Palau in in 2015. data collected from meteorological towers making its Intended Nationally Determined during 2013-2015. The solar data is being Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC global used to frame system size and evaluate climate agreement in 2015, committing to the economic potential of solar projects reduce energy sector emissions by 22%, at various locations on Palau to determine below 2005 levels by 2025. project viability. Energy efficiency — In collaboration with Completed Activities the Clean Energy Solutions Center and other members of the Freely Associated NREL’s technical experts worked with States, NREL and Palau are working to stakeholders in Palau to complete the develop enabling policies and provide following activities. trainings for customs officers on appliance Energy planning — An initial technical and equipment labeling and standards. assessment to evaluate Palau’s current Energy planning — Palau is in the process of updating its national energy policy and strategic plan. Currently undergoing its Areas for Further Development 5-year review, the updated strategic plan Nationwide grid integration study Integrated roadmap for implementing and supporting policies for high- Palau’s energy and climate goals — To penetration renewables — Essential supplement ongoing energy planning for Palau to reach its 20% renewable work to ensure Palau’s long-range energy target by 2020. priorities are met. Energy efficiency auditor training — Financial, technology and capacity Identified by the Palau Public Utilities building support — Build local capacity Commission as a high-priority need for to implement the measures identified both the public and private sectors. in Palau’s climate and energy plans. National greenhouse gas inventory Improve donor coordination — — Requires regular updates to evaluate Develop a forum for the many progress toward mitigation targets. international donor agencies working Emergency preparedness and disaster in Palau in the energy, water, and resiliency requirements for critical transportation sectors to better infrastructure — To address the coordinate their activities to reflect growing frequency and intensity of the Government of Palau’s long-term Images (courtesy of): OIA logo (Office of Insular Affairs), development priorities. map (Portable Atlas), solar panels from above (Kyocera), storms and climate-related events. other images (Dan Olis). OIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIAOIA Misty Dawn Conrad The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Senior Technical Project Manager Laboratory is providing strategic guidance and technical support to National Renewable Energy Laboratory Palau as the country strives to build a more sustainable and resilient 303.763.0436 future. This partnership is made possible through a grant from the [email protected] U.S. Department of the Office of Insular Affairs. www.nrel.gov NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of www.doi.gov/oia Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for NREL/FS-7A40-65986 • July 2016 Sustainable Energy, LLC. NREL prints on paper that contains recycled content. .
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