Studying Energy-Saving Needed in Countries Experiencing Marked Growth

Energy consumption worldwide is escalating, with no end in sight, and there is an ever stronger need in emerging nations for energy consumption efficiency. PREX last year launched its “JICA-Governmental Measures for Energy-Saving Technology and its Propagation” seminar, which will continue for the next three years. In this seminar, we will be looking mainly at the activities of the Egyptian participant, Ms. Kobesi (“Hala-san”), who took on a coordinating role from the very beginning.

Learning all we can from the Japanese energy-saving experience!

In this first year of the ongoing three-year seminar, 16 officials from 14 nations took part in seminars held in Japan from September 21 to October 18, looking at examples of energy-saving in Japan. The participating countries were Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, St. Vincent, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, the Republic of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Palestine, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Palau. Most of the participants belonged to energy-related government departments, local governments, or power companies, and were already involved in energy-saving initiatives in their home countries. However, the state of energy-saving measures differs greatly by country. The level of knowledge regarding energy-saving is still very low in emerging nations, budgets are limited, and all out tackling of the issues is yet to happen.

Hala-san presenting the state of energy-saving activities in Egypt at a session to exchange opinions with small and medium-sized enterprises in Kansai.

Seminar participant from Egypt who took on a coordinating role

Hala-san is the executive director of mass communication Department of Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and, as such, manages nationwide energy-saving campaigns. She participated in this seminar held in Japan with great expectations. Egypt is pushing forward with a number of energy-saving activities such as the introduction of energy-saving standards and an energy-saving labeling system, but these have yet to achieve significant results. Participants in this seminar program attended lectures at government offices and related organs in order to acquire an understanding of energy-saving measures being taken in government offices and private enterprise in Japan. They learned about energy-saving technology and the actualities of energy-saving by visiting numerous companies. Hala-san was particularly impressed at how great results were achieved in Japan by way of well conducted coordination between government and the private sector in order to further energy-saving activities. She became convinced that much of this could be introduced to Egypt. Furthermore, she said that behind Japan’s progress in energy-saving activities was Japanese culture and the thinking of Japanese people, playing a highly influential role.Hala san was very much impressed with the Japanese culture, habits and way of life.

In this seminar program, all participants created an action plan. When they return to their respective countries, I believe they will strive to have it reflected in policy. Hala-san referred to legislation in Japan that was effective regarding energy saving and prepared an action plan inspired by the Japanese electricity law. That action plan included legislative amendments in Egypt and the introduction of such things as a top runner system.

The participants in this seminar excelled at teamwork and spent their time to the full extent even during their time off. At times like this, too, Hala-san, with her natural cheer, would bring everyone together. I am expecting really great things from all the participants once they have returned home, in terms of actively pushing energy-saving activities in their respective countries.

An observation tour was made of Keihanna Eco-City, where examples were studied of energy-saving initiatives incorporating the latest Japanese technology.

(Setoguchi and Musha, International Department)

Seminar summary