Renewable energy project to benefit KK residents
KOTA KINABALU: A renewable energy (RE) pilot project between Kota Kinabalu-Toyoma City is expected to light up the Kiansom Waterfall, Kokol Hill, Kampung Tombongan, Kampung Ruminding and its surrounding areas here.
In addition, Kota Kinabalu City Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai said mini hydro, solar and wind turbine projects stemming from the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two cities would also be able to stimulate interest and green technology among school children.
“I am convinced that the proposed cooperation and understanding offered by Toyoma City, Japan is a big opportunity for the transfer and education of new green technology that will bring great benefit to Kota Kinabalu residents, specifically, and Sabah, in general,” said the Mayor at the MoU signing ceremony at Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) Building here yesterday.
The MoU, inked by Yeo and Toyama City Mayor Masashi Mori, will see the introduction and implementation of “Renewable Energy and Agricultural Techniques and Technologies Program” through the “Environmentally Friendly Futuristic City Project”.
At the event, Mori proposed for the implementation of high visible RE projects in public accessible areas for educational purposes among young children.
He said the success of Toyoma city, chosen as one of the 10 international model city and exemplary regions by the United Nations through the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) program, was not instantaneous and took 30 years to achieve.
He added this also included the nurturing of young minds in schools.
Therefore, Mori suggested for the RE projects to be integrated in the education system to reach children at an early age.
He said this was done to prepare the future generation with the green knowledge needed once the technology system had been successfully adopted.
“So in 20 to 30 years later, when the children become adults they are ready to run the green technology,” said Mori.
“This is done to ensure that children are continuously made aware of the green technology importance. That is why, little by little, the construction energy projects must be done at areas that can be easily seen (by the public),” he explained.