The Training is crucial for the development of Renewable Energy in Rural Areas in the Pacific. The majority of Samoas’ population reside in rural areas (80%). Therefore it is important that in order to mainstream RE energy into Samoa we need to focus on the majority of the population and eventually it will lead to 100% of the population. During the Training course, China had showcased all Renewable Energy Developments such as the development of renewable energy in China rural areas. This is quite important because China had managed to become the second most developed country in the world in terms of economy. Renewable Energy played a huge role in the development of China which had created affordable energy for all Chinese citizens. This is why China was able to develop faster, because affordable energy equals less expenses, cheaper labor and better earnings.

We had studied on the laws and regulations endorsed by China. These include Energy Efficiency regulations, Electricity Regulations, Independent Power Producer Policies and Regulations, Power Purchasing Agreements and so forth. However, Samoa has developed its own regulation suitable for the growth of our economy. We have experts in the Energy sector that had assisted in creating policies that will guide Samoa into the sustainable development given the situation in the Pacific is highly considered. Policies and laws are developed only according to the development of the country as well as the trend of its growth.

Samoa is the only Pacific Island country who had participated in this training mixed with a majority from the big continent of Africa. We were introduced with Chinese design on Biogas systems. Luckily, the systems used in China exactly similar with minor variations to the system used by our very own local business – B.E.S.T Company also known as Youth With A Mission (YWAM) who is also the winning bidder for the Biogas system developments under component 2 of IMPRESS Project. However, a larger scale of biogas development is only appropriate if our IMPRESS Project current Biogas development is successful from its current pilot phases.

During my study in China, I have learnt that Renewable Energy especially Biomass and Biogas cannot be successful without the assistance of Farmers. Agriculture has a big role played in the development of biogas through feedstock management. Without the feedstock, there will be no biogas or biomass and it works both ways. Agriculture provides biomass for gasification or for biogas and in return, agriculture gets bio slurry as a highly fertilized sludge.

Aside from that, the reality is the truth behind Chinese invasion in Pacific Island is the expansion of their market and trade. This will highly contribute to their economy. During my stay in China, the participating countries were introduced to a lot of companies that creates and innovates on Renewable Energy Technology such as Solar Panels of different kinds and solar technology such as generators and water heaters. I benefit from this training because my experience in China will improve my knowledge on how to develop the communities through clean combustion. Aside from the laws, policies, regulations, innovations and technologies, what I take from the training is the Energy Efficiency of Biomass. Since the majority of rural areas in Samoa uses open fire for cooking energy, it is important that they learn how to utilize biomass energy to the fullest and maximizing energy stored within the biomass materials. This is done by designing a structure that supports the theory. This structure centers the focus of heat energy by protecting the sides of the structure. If this structure is used by all households in rural areas, it will benefit Samoa by reduction of deforestation through logging, time efficiency of cooking, feedstock management and cost savings incase a family wants to switch to LPGs.