Implementing a solar-power seminar for Palestine (Sept. 13-19)

Palestine is aiming to raise its rate of renewable energy to 20 percent of its demand by 2020 and reduce its reliance on imported energy, as it relies on imports of energy resources. After receiving a request from local officials, PREX implemented a seminar (with JICA Kansai being the commissioning agency) to teach technological strengths in the field of renewable energy in Japan and the design of policies and systems behind those technologies. The seminar was for three people: the director and two vice directors of the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority. The participants visited a mega solar generation plant, a thermal power station, a solar panel manufacturer, a solar-power research institute, and other facilities. The seminar was highly evaluated for teaching case studies in Japan from the perspectives of policy and technology. Furthermore, PREX has implemented introduction to solar power seminars twice a year since fiscal 2010 for public-sector officials from various countries. As there is a lot of interest in the countries, it is expected that 28 seminar participants from 25 countries will participate during the current fiscal year.