FSM ATTEMPTING TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL ENERGY PLAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLONIA 000130 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ENRG PGOV FM SUBJECT: FSM ATTEMPTING TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL ENERGY PLAN ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The FSM National Government, through the offices of Research and Development, submitted a national Draft Energy Policy to each state on July 21. By Mid-September a number of the agencies and personnel responsible for implementation still had not seen the draft plan. Although there is general agreement in the FSM that energy issues are a major concern, some government officials question the viability of a national plan for four states that have divergent needs and resources. End Summary. Draft Policy -------------- ¶2. (SBU) After extensive consultations with representatives from the four states and various national offices, President Emanuel Mori sent a national Draft Energy Policy to the four governors on July 21 for comment. The President's cover letter asks the governors to comment on the plan with a particular focus on their state plans. The goal is to submit the one larger plan to the national congress for funding. The President, however, gives no timeline for the review. At least one state plan references actions scheduled to start in April ¶2008. (Note: As of September 28, states have not yet responded to the request for comments. Therefore all timelines, not based on donor plans, in the draft policy are already out-of-date. End Note.) ¶3. (SBU) The national Draft Energy Policy sets the goal that "by the year 2020 the share of renewable energy sources would be at least 30% of energy production while the efficiency should improve with 50%." For details on how to reach those goals the draft document attaches draft action plans from each state. The four states not only submitted different goals, but have different foci on how to attain their own goals. The States -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Pohnpei's original plan calls for a 42% reduction in diesel power generation by 2013. The primary focus in achieving that goal is through rehabilitating the Nanpil River Hydropower Plan. Pohnpei is also hoping to achieve some of its goals through stand alone solar home systems and banning the import of "non-energy efficient lights, appliances..." Kosrae, meanwhile lists gradually increasing its power grid's capacity to absorb energy from photovoltaic sources as its first goal. The second goal, however, is to meet all of Kosrae's power demands within six years with a sea wave power plant. ;¶5. (SBU) Yap state meanwhile has set itself a goal of creating 75% of its power through renewable energy by 2020. As with Kosrae, the immediate focus is to upgrade the states capacity to use solar energy. Yap is also focusing on possible wind energy, including multiple windfarms. For Chuuk state the broad goal is to supplement conventional energy with alternative sources by 50% within one year. Part of the goal is for Chuuk state facilities to rely 100% on alternative energy sources. ¶6. (SBU) At the end of August, Pohnpei State Senator Stevick Edwin told Econ/ConOff that the national initiative comes from the national Office of Resources and Development and three representatives from each state. Edwin added that as the state's energy chair he is also looking at the national plan. Edwin commented that his primary concern is how the national government plans to support or implement the four distinct plans developed by the states. The relationship between the states and the national government is generally unclear and the draft energy policy does not clarify the relationship. ¶7. (SBU) Although transmitted from the President to Kosrae in July, Kosrae Utilities Authority General Manager Fred Skilling still had not seen the draft plan by mid-September. Skilling told Econ/ConOff that it is not uncommon for communication from the national government to languish on someone's desk for extended periods of time before it gets to the recipient. Skilling commented that he would not be surprised if the document was stuck in the Governor's office. Donor Roles -------------- ¶8. (SBU) In separate meetings, both Japanese Economic Officer Mariko Arada and Chinese First Secretary for Business Bai Xia agreed that it is encouraging that the national government is taking a proactive position on energy matters. Both added concerns, however, on actual follow through. Chinese Third Secretary for Business Xu Quing stressed that it is unclear how the national government can pull together the disparate and at times competing interests of the four states. During a KOLONIA 00000130 002 OF 002 September 30 meeting Australian Deputy Chief of Mission Janet Whitaker concurred with that general assessment, saying the national government is still trying to define its role in each of the states and adding one more issue does not necessarily help. ¶9. (SBU) China and Japan have contributed funding for various one-time projects such as solar powered street lighting around government housing in the capital, Palikir. Arada added that national government representatives have complained that the lights, particularly the Chinese funded lights, no longer work. Arada argued that the light failures are not due to poor installation or design, but rather due to the lack of cleaning or maintenance of the photovoltaic cells. ¶10. (SBU) FSM Resources and Development, Division of Energy Assistant Secretary Hubert Yamada stated that for outer islands in Yap, Pohnpei, and Chuuk, the FSM is reliant on European Union funding and expertise to install solar powered lighting (Kosrae has no outer islands). Yamada further acknowledged that the FSM will need substantial donor assistance to meet their alternative energy goals. For example, Pohnpei is seeking funding through the Department of Interior to rehabilitate the Nanpil hydropower plant. Yap is looking at wind power, but is currently only at the discussion phase pending review from outside experts. PetroCorps Plans -------------- ¶11. (SBU) The four state plans of action on energy policies all call for reductions in the use of fuel and increased fuel efficiencies, which by definition affects FSM's sole fuel provider, FSM PetroCorps. PetroCorps was established as a semi-autonomous fuel provider by the national government. Yet on August 24 PetroCorps Commercial Manager Madderson Ramon told Econ/ConOff that PetroCorps wants to be part of any plans on FSM energy policy. Currently it is not. Ramon commented that despite not formally taking part in the current discussions, PetroCorps recognizes current energy trends and has identified its own mission as expanding beyond fuel to become a "total energy company." ¶12. (SBU) For the near-term, PetroCorps is reviewing two possible means to reduce energy costs for FSM consumers. According to Ramon, it is possible to cut diesel fuel with 5% coconut oil and still attain suitable power generation. His company is looking for suitable and reliable sources of coconut oil within the FSM. In a strict cost cutting initiative, PetroCorps is also reviewing the possibility of bulk purchases by working with representative from Saipan and the Marshal Islands. By September 20, both ideas were still in their earliest stages of possible development. Comment -------------- ¶13. (SBU) There is a consensus within the FSM that high fuel prices negatively impact the FSM economy. The more fuel that is imported, the more funds go out to pay for transportation and energy costs. There is also general consensus that developing a coherent energy plan is in the FSM's best interest. The difficulty, however, is those current plans rely almost exclusively on donor support, save for those of PetroCorps. Within the FSM, what that support should look like is not clear. Each state is pursuing different goals. The only common strategy is to request assistance from the EU for solar power on outer islands. Perhaps the best role for the national government is not to try to coordinate a national energy policy; rather it can assist in reaching out to the donor community -- if it can overcome the perception that it favors one state over the others. End Comment. DOUGLASSWD