6 Questions About the Japan-Power Africa Partnership
Earlier this summer, Japan became Power Africa’s newest bilateral partner. We sat down with Ambassador Seiji Okada, the deputy director general in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, to learn more about what this partnership means for the continent.
- Why did Japan partner with Power Africa?
Japan and the United States both recognize the critical importance of addressing energy challenges in Africa, especially by promoting the development of the continent’s vast renewable energy potential. This recognition was widely shared by participants of the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The TICAD VI Nairobi Declaration states our firm resolution to engage in energy issues, and the TICAD VI Nairobi Implementation Plan articulates our commitment to promote upstream investment to utilize energy resources abundant in African countries, including renewable energy. For the implementation of these commitments, it is essential to further strengthen cooperation with key players.
We are convinced that our new partnership will significantly contribute to powering Africa and advance global efforts to achieve the interrelated goals and targets of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
2. What unique strengths, expertise and resources does Japan have in the energy sector that can help increase energy access?
As articulated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at TICAD VI, Japan has the advanced technology to provide quality infrastructure as well as associated trainings for capacity building.
As a country with many volcanos, Japan has technical advantages in the field of geothermal power generation. In particular, Japanese companies account for more than 70 percent share of geothermal power generation turbines. In the field of solar power generation, Japan also leads in the field of energy conversion efficiency and durability of photovoltaic panels. Japan has a strong track record of producing a high-efficiency thermal power generation such as gas-combined cycle power generation equipment. With regard to transmission, Japan has excellent technology for low loss power transmission line which can reduce transmission losses by 20 percent, compared with the conventional products.
Our experts are dispatched to utility companies for capacity development of efficient distribution and transmission systems and of maintaining power supply facilities. Finally, we provide professional capacity development seminars in Japan and scholarship for policy makers and engineers mainly through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) program.
By applying our expertise in advanced technology and providing trainings, Japan is determined to contribute to develop energy infrastructure in Africa.
3. As part of this partnership, where do you see opportunities for Power Africa and Japan to collaborate?
Our priority focus at this stage is to promote geothermal development in Eastern Africa. While Japan has supported geothermal resource development in the region, the United States has been building an investment environment for independent power producers (IPPs). We strongly hope that these cooperation efforts will be a success of this new partnership. Japan is also interested in promoting the power pool development. We have a lot of work to do for increasing power supply in Africa, and it is important to do it efficiently. Sharing relevant information in the results of power supply analysis will serve the purpose.
4. Why is it important for Japan to facilitate more energy projects in Africa?
Two out of three people in sub-Saharan Africa live without access to reliable energy. Basic needs, such as education and health care, are not available to everyone. Japan is ready to tackle the issue and make every effort to improve this situation from the perspective of human security and people-centered development.
We would also like to support Japanese companies which are investing in Africa to enhance economic prosperity across the continent. Through improved power supply in Africa, we can support Japanese companies which work in — and for — Africa.
5. What will expanded access to energy mean for the continent?
We believe in the great potential of Africa and its people, and this is the very reason we have engaged in the TICAD process. Africa is a dynamic continent bestowed with rich natural resources and a fast growing population — estimated to reach 2 billion in 2050. However, the lack of electricity is a major bottleneck we need to resolve for reaching further prosperity. With expanded access to energy, especially sustainable energy, the continent will thrive as a significant player in the global economy.
6. What kind of projects has Japan already been involved in?
Last March, Japan signed Exchange of Notes with the Government of Kenya to provide an Official Development Assistance loan of up to 45.69 billion yen (about $447.4 million USD) for assistance with the Olkaria V Geothermal Development Project. This project will construct a geothermal power plant (two units with an output of 70 MW each), steam fields, power transmission lines and related facilities at the Olkaria geothermal area in Nakuru County, located in central Kenya. The Olkaria I Unit 4 and 5 Geothermal Power Project (operation inception in February 2015), which preceded this project, was completed in January with the first Japanese ODA loan in the geothermal field in Africa and now supports about 25 million people.
Japan also engages in the data collection survey on Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) to identify possible future cooperation projects for SAPP development through JICA.
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