This is a parallel Program of PG SIOD (See Component 2, Priority Area 1), which plans to introduce a new course as described below:

Project 1: Renewable Energy Management (new course)

Given the high cost of imported fuel, there is an urgent need for the commercialization and widespread use of environmentally friendly energy in PICs, where almost everyone rely heavily on imported fossil fuel. While some PICs have excellent solar, wind, hydro, biomass, biofuel resource potential, barriers presented by financial, regulatory, market, technical and capacity constraints have been hampering renewable energy development and utilization in these countries. In order to capture some of the opportunities that arise with PIREP phase II and also as part of the widespread implementation of the Pacific Islands Energy Policy and plans, capacity building in energy management has been identified as one of the primary needs. Two RE pilot trainings for the region were conducted by USP (energy team) and SOPAC respectively in 2004 with UNESCAP support. As part of the new RE course development, it is proposed that these training materials be integrated into a single course with additional materials as appropriate incorporated where necessary.