JICA and Vietnam in joint project for biomass energy production

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Vietnam National University (VNU) are involved in a five-year project that was designed by JICA and was approved by the Japanese government. The program is called Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS). The US$5 million project will develop measures for climate change mitigation in Vietnam and Indochina through the development of biomass energy and green technology for biodiesel production. The program will also develop a biomass energy cycle model (cultivation-production-utilisation) that is economically and environmentally superior. Focus will also be given on the planting of trees like jatropha for oil and on monitoring developments in the environmental methods for biodiesel utilization. (September 12, 2011)