26 May 2012: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in cooperation with the Government of Japan, held a workshop titled “Accelerating renewable energy deployment in the Pacific region – Meeting the challenges,” as part of IRENA’s Islands Initiative to assist islands in raising the share of renewables in their energy mixes.

The workshop took place on 26 May 2012, in Okinawa, Japan. Discussions focused on: technological solutions; best practices; grid stability challenges for islands; and increasing renewables use in the transport sector. Calling for greater cooperation in the region, Adnan Amin, IRENA Director-General, commented that although drivers of change may vary from country to country, national objectives in the region remain the same: securely and sustainably meeting domestic energy needs.

Further discussions highlighted that power sector planning must be prioritized and that this planning should be based on available technologies, knowledge and expertise. Presentations highlighted among others, challenges and opportunities for renewable energy implementation in the Pacific; potential renewable energy technology solutions for shipping; and case studies on renewable energy integration to island grids. [IRENA Press Release] [Workshop Webpage with Presentations]