Narrative
Full Description
Project narrative
In December 2007 during Micronesian President Mori's official visit to China, government officials first discussed a biogas demonstration project (or 沼气示范项目) and again discussed it during a 2008 official visit. At an unknown date, government officials signed an agreement in which Zhejiang's provincial government, the sister state of Pohnpei, would fund, build, and supply the project for free at four sites located in Chuuk and Pohnpei states (2 sites each) in Micronesia. It is unclear if one financing agreement covered all four sites or if additional agreements were signed for each one. Between 28 April 2008 and 2 May 2008, an inspector from the Zhejiang Foreign Affairs Office as well as 6 experts visited Chuuk and Pohnpei states to inspect and select sites for the biogas project in which each site receives a biogas digestor and stove. The first demonstration site of four was launched at OHWA Christian High School in Madolenihnw (or 马德连林市OWHA Christian中学 or 澳瓦中学) on 4 April 2009 when a biogas stove was installed in their kitchen after two weeks of preparation. According to the FSM Press Information Office, as of 14 April 2009, Chinese technicians and Pohnpei officials were working on the second site, a "traditional house" in Kitti. The plan was to go to Chuuk at the end of April to start the last two project sites. All four biogas packages were expected to be installed by June 2009. According to a Embassy press release from December 2010, the two Chuuk sites were complete. Technicians were also expected to organize workshops in each state to teach locals how to build and use the biogas equipment. Biogas is a methane-rich flammable gas that results from the decomposition of organic waste material such as pig manure. It can be directly used for cooking, heating and lighting. This is a sustainable, cheap alternative to relying on expensive oil imports for the island nation. China later hosted 25 Micronesians for a biogas training course in 2011 (#63835).