| ASEAN
Tackling ASEAN’s Energy Challenges Invest Asian 6th Apr 2016
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, better known as ASEAN, is set for remarkable growth and opportunity. With its recently initiated AEC, its 10 member nations represent a market of more than 600 million consumers and a combined GDP of nearly US$3 trillion. These figures are rising day by day as the region’s prosperity and stability grows. As ASEAN grows, a reliable, accessible, and sustainable supply of energy will be essential. With expectations that Southeast Asia’s energy consumption will more than double over the next two decades, it will be a challenge to secure the energy required to meet this demand. Experts have analyzed and outlined 3 key challenges that ASEAN will need to overcome if it is to meet its regional energy demand.
Brunei
Brunei Minister Says Sultanate Is Rationalizing Its Oil Economy Forbes 6th Apr 2016
Brunei, the tiny sultanate perched on the South China Sea off the northwestern corner of Borneo, derives more of its gross national production each year from oil and natural gas than any other Asian nation. In this respect it outranks Qatar, Iran and Russia and approaches Saudi Arabia. But with oil prices plummeting over the last two years, the tsunami of cash that has fueled a remarkable expansion is shrinking instead. So the 420,000 citizens and guest laborers are pulling in their belts and output is being revamped.
Cambodia
Chinese firm signs deal with Cambodia's electricity supplier to build rural power grids News China 6th Apr 2016
China National Heavy Machinery Corporation (CHMC) reached a contract with Cambodia's state-owned Electricité du Cambodge (EdC) on Wednesday to build rural power transmission lines, which will cover 13 provinces. The contract was inked here between CHMC's chairman Lu Wenjun and EdC director-general Keo Rattanak. According to a press release, about 85 percent of the nearly 100-million-U.S. dollar project will be funded through concessional loans from the Chinese government. "When the project is completed, it will improve access to electricity in rural areas in 13 provinces," Lu Wenjun said.
Renewables can replace fossil fuels by 2050: WWF Phnom Penh Post 6th Apr 2016
Cambodia can realistically get 90 per cent of its energy from wind, solar and biomass by 2050, the World Wildlife Federation found in a new report published yesterday. Renewable energy will soon be cheaper than fossil fuels, especially when factoring in dollars lost to environmental damage and health costs, according to the WWF. But wider investment in renewable power and energy efficiency needs better regulations and clear legal targets in Cambodia, WWF said. “WWF needs to work closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia, NGOs, CSOs and business leaders,” the organisation’s country head, Chhith Sam Ath, said in a statement.
Indonesia
REC to invest S$250 million to boost Singapore's clean energy drive International Business Times 5th Apr 2016
Norwegian solar panel maker REC said it will invest S$250 million in Singapore, which has unveiled plans to increase solar panel deployment significantly in the next four years. Around S$200 million of the investment will be deployed in projects to improve automation and technology upgrading while S$50 million will be invested in research and development. Singapore currently generates only less than 1 percent of electricity from solar power. The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) said in November the plan is to raise this to up to 20 percent by 2050.
Govt. Officially Reduces Price of Fuel Hukum Online 5th Apr 2016
The government has decided to reduce the retail price of Premium gasoline and Solar diesel by IDR 500 per liter from Friday, 1 April 2016. “Today, we [the government] have decided that the price of gasoline is to be lowered from IDR 6,950/liter to IDR 6,450/liter as from 1 April. The price of diesel fuel is also to be lowered from IDR 5,650/liter to IDR 5,150/liter,” asserted the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Sudirman Said, on the website of the Secretariat of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 30 March 2016. Mr. Said further revealed that the new fuel price was formulated after taking into account the current regulatory framework, which prohibits the government from allowing the price of fuel from being solely determined by the market. Indeed, the government is obliged to ensure that there are no sharp increases or decreases in the price of fuel.
Sulawesi's largest solar power plant begins operation The Jakarta Post 4th Apr 2016
Solar panels are pictured in a residential settlement on Ponelo Island, North Gorontalo. A solar power plant (PLTS) with a capacity of 2 megawatt peak (MWp) has begun operating in the regency's East Sumalata district, making it the biggest solar plant in Sulawesi. (thejakartapost.com/Syamsul Huda M.Suhari) A solar power plant (PLTS) with a capacity of 2 megawatt peak (MWp) has begun operating in Gorontalo, meeting the energy needs of people in the province with renewable power. Located in Motihelumo, East Sumalata district, North Gorontalo regency, the Sumalata PLTS is said to be Sulawesi's biggest solar plant.
Pertamina eyes US $651 milllion in savings post Petral liquidation The Jakarta Post 4th Apr 2016
By reactivating the integrated supply chain (ISC), the transformation of crude and oil products procurement has the potential to increase Pertamina’s profit to US$651 million until 2017, Pertamina president director Dwi Soetjipto said on Monday. Dwi explained that the ISC transformation has spawned three important phases. The first, dubbed the ‘Quick Win Phase’, aimed to make the procurement of crude and refined oil products more competitive and had contributed significantly to Pertamina’s efficiency.
Petral liquidation set to be complete in mid-2016 The Jakarta Post 4th Apr 2016
The liquidation of Pertamina Energi Trading Ltd (Petral) and its subsidiaries, which has been under way since February, is set to be complete by the middle of 2016. Pertamina finance director Arief Budiman said two of Petral’s entities in Hong Kong, Petral and Zambesi Investment Limited (ZIL) were already in the process of tax clearance from the Hong Kong tax authorities. "Then the companies will be dissolved," Arief said at the press conference held in Jakarta on Monday.
FACT SHEET: Eliminating All Highly Enriched Uranium from Indonesia The White House 4th Apr 2016
At the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, the United States and Indonesia announced that all fresh (unirradiated) highly enriched uranium (HEU) has been downblended to low enriched uranium (LEU). The two countries intend to continue their joint effort to eliminate all remaining HEU in Indonesia by September 2016, in furtherance of President Obama and President Jokowi’s October 2015 joint statement. The HEU is residual material from medical isotope production.
Giant Indonesia Offshore Gas Project Sunk by Nationalist, Economic Pressure Wall Street Journal 29th Mar 2016
Indonesia’s rejection of a $15 billion gas project by Inpex Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC. bodes ill for the revival of the flagging petroleum industry and highlights the nationalist pressures facing foreign investment in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, energy analysts say. Inpex and Shell suffered a blow Wednesday in their joint bid to develop one of Southeast Asia’s largest known deep-water gas blocks. President Joko Widodo rejected their plan to use a giant floating refinery in the country’s remote east, calling instead for onshore facilities to help develop the region in the Arafura Sea. Inpex and Indonesia’s upstream oil and gas regulator have said this would require pipelines up to 600 kilometers in length and add up to $7.5 billion to costs.
Indonesia's $4 billion coal-fired power plant construction to start on April 1 DNA 29th Mar 2016
The construction of a $4 billion (nearly Rs 26,611 crore), 2,000-megawatt coal-fired power station in Indonesia will begin on April 1 after years of delay as land acquisitions are finally complete, Japan's Nikkei business daily said on Sunday. PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia, a joint venture set up by Indonesian coal miner PT Adaro Energy Tbk and Japan's Itochu Corporation and Electric Power Development (J-Power), will build and operate the Batang plant in Central Java. Neither Itochu nor J-Power could be immediately reached for comment.
Banpu’s Indo Tambang may backtrack on plan to join 35,000-MW program The Jakarta Post 29th Mar 2016
Coal producer PT Indo Tambangraya Megah (ITM), controlled by Banpu Thailand, is reviewing its plan to build a coal-based power plant to support the government’s 35,000-megawatt electricity project. Marketing director ITM Jusnan Ruslan said the government's program insisted on low-calorie coal to reduce electricity tariffs. However, ITM produces medium- and high-calorie coal of which 87 percent is exported to other countries. "We will look into it. If the program is good, we will acquire a mining site for low-calorie coal," Jusnan told thejakartapost.com on Monday.
Fuel prices should drop by Rp 200-Rp 500 per liter: ReforMiner The Jakarta Post 29th Mar 2016
The government is expected to cut fuel prices by between Rp 200 (1 US cent) to Rp 500 per liter by the end of this month, following the persistent drop in oil prices and in light of the stable rupiah. Jakarta-based research group ReforMiner Institute's executive director Komaidi Notonegoro argued that with the current global price of oil resting at around $30 per barrel and the stable rupiah, the government should cut the prices of subsidized diesel, gasoline and kerosene. "We expect the fuel price will come down by about Rp 200 to Rp 500 per liter. The government will deliberately cut the prices with reference to the market price," Komaidi told thejakartapost.com on Monday.
Indo Tambangraya sets flat sales target The Jakarta Post 29th Mar 2016
Coal miner PT Indo Tambangraya Megah is aiming to sell 28.5 million tons of coal this year, a figure almost unchanged from last year’s sales of 28.2 million tons, the result of sluggish consumption and an economic slowdown. Although the mining company did not disclose its net sales target for this year, it hoped to increase it from last year’s net sales of US$1.589 billion. The Jakarta-based company, 65 percent of the shares of which are controlled by Singapore’s Banpu Minerals, saw its net sales drop 18.2 percent last year from $1.943 billion in 2014 because of a decline in commodity prices.
PGN expects 8 cargoes for Lampung FSRU The Jakarta Post 29th Mar 2016
Jakarta-listed gas company PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) expects its floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Lampung to absorb up to eight cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by year-end amid rising demand. The state company said that the LNG deliveries were expected to start in April. “From April to the end of the year, the Lampung FSRU will gradually receive and distribute eight cargoes, equal to 1.1 million cubic meters of LNG,” PGN corporate secretary Heri Yusup said.
SKKMigas encourages Pertamina’s role in Masela The Jakarta Post 29th Mar 2016
Following the government’s decision for an onshore development of the gas-rich Masela block, the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) has paved the way for state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina to take part in the project. Amien Sunaryadi of SKKMigas said that the agency had facilitated a meeting between Masela’s contractors and Pertamina to discuss the possibility of cooperation on the block’s development. “SKKMigas arranged a meeting between Inpex and Pertamina to discuss the possibility of Pertamina working on the Masela block. The discussion revolved around a strategic alliance because the domestic market needs the gas,” Amien said.
Indonesia gov't mulls fuel price cut Shanghai Daily 29th Mar 2016
The Indonesian government is planning to reduce the oil prices as the global oil prices decrease, a minister said here on Thursday. Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said said a decision on the size of the decrease will be made within two days. However, the government will only announce it by the end of this month, he added. "The price reduction will be steep," Minister Said told reporters in Jakarta. Currently the price of a low-grade, RON88 petrol, known locally as "Premium," is 7,150 rupiah (or less than one U.S. dollar) per litter and diesel fuel is 5,950 rupiah per litter.
Malaysia
Oil services groups ditch Singapore for Malaysia Financial Times 29th Mar 2016
Multinational oil services companies are pulling staff out of Singapore and relocating to neighbouring Malaysia to cut costs, in a further sign of the damage being inflicted on the city-state by the crude price slump. Businesses that have relocated to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur over recent months include McDermott, Technip, and Subsea 7. The cost of real estate is lower in Malaysia than Singapore, reducing expenditure on commercial property and staff housing. It is also significantly cheaper to buy or lease company cars in Malaysia. Singapore is one of the world’s most expensive places to own a car due to high registration fees and taxes, and the steep cost of a “certificate of entitlement” to own a car. Singapore auctions these certificates as a measure to curb the growth of vehicle ownership.
El Nino To Dent Malaysia Palm Oil Exports; Prices Set To Rise IBT 29th Mar 2016
Palm oil output in Malaysia is projected to fall by 2 million tons in 2016 due to the effects of El Niño, leading industry analyst Dorab Mistry said Monday. A decline in output from the country — the world's second-largest producer of palm oil — could increase palm oil prices that are already hovering around a two-year high. Dry weather conditions brought by the El Niño weather pattern would curb output in major producers Indonesia and Malaysia, Mistry reportedly said. He was speaking at the 13th International Oils & Oilseeds Conference in Beijing.
Hot weather pushes up palm oil prices in Malaysia CCTV 29th Mar 2016
Malaysia is facing unusually hot weather. Extreme droughts have led to closure of schools, and have left farmers on the dry. But one industry is benefiting from the heat, a mainstay of Malaysia’s economy.
Nuclear Security Summit to assist Malaysia address trafficking of nuclear items Malay Mail 29th Mar 2016
The Nuclear Security Summit, to be held here today will assist Malaysia in identifying and preventing trafficking of nuclear items in the country and its territorial waters. Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said although Malaysia did not possess nuclear weapons or nuclear plants, the summit was important as it could assist the country to identify abuse in the country's banking service for channeling of funds for nuclear purposes. “Basically, it is to prevent nuclear weapons or material from being traded by wrong hands. “Not necessarily nuclear weapons per se, but also materials that can be used by terrorist groups,” he told Malaysian reporters at the Malaysian Embassy here yesterday.
Malaysia palm oil company Felda Global appoints new group chief Reuters 29th Mar 2016
Malaysian palm plantation Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd said on Tuesday it had appointed Zakaria Arshad as its new group president and chief executive effective April 1, replacing outgoing Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah. Local media had earlier reported that Mohd Emir, whose three-year tenure comes to an end on March 31, would be replaced by Zakaria who is currently the head of Felda's downstream operations.
OriginClear Joint Venture Targets Palm Oil Mill Effluent in Malaysia Business Wire 29th Mar 2016
-OriginClear Inc., a leading provider of water treatment solutions, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary for Asia, OriginClear Hong Kong (OCHK), plans to target the Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) treatment market in Malaysia. Totaling more than 65 million tonnes annually, POME effluent is widely recognized as a major environmental concern because its contamination level can be 100 times higher than domestic sewage.
Myanmar
IOC bids for fuel marketing and retail rights in Myanmar Economic Times 5th Apr 2016
State-run Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has bid for rights to import, store and distribute petroleum products in Myanmar. "We have put in a bid to enter fuel marketing and retail business in Myanmar," a senior company official said. Myanma Petroleum Products Enterprise (MPPE) last year invited companies to form a joint venture for import, storage, distribution and sale of all petroleum products except liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). A separate tender for cooking gas LPG was floated. IOC had bid for that tender too, the official said. MPPE left the fuel distribution business when it was privatised in 2010, but is planning a re-entry into the fast-growing business sector that is marred by widespread dissatisfaction over service standards and fuel quality.
For Myanmar, temptation of cheap coal ‘hard to ignore’ Climate Change News 5th Apr 2016
Myanmar’s new government is set to mushroom coal’s share of its energy mix, despite manifesto pledges to boost clean energy and cut air pollution. The National League of Democracy (NLD) took power last Wednesday, formally ending nearly five decades of oppressive military junta. Aung San Suu Kyi’s party will stick to existing targets to increase coal-fired power from 2% to 30% within 15 years, as it expands energy access in a country with one of the world’s lowest electrification rates.
Indian Oil Corp to enter (Myanmar) fuel market Petrol Plaza 5th Apr 2016
Myanmar Petroleum Products Enterprise (MPPE) opened a tender to cooperate as a joint venture (JV) for import, storage, distribution and sale of all petroleum products expect liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas, reported The Economic Times. The JV will be for a maximum of 30 years, extendable for two 10-year periods. MPPE will hold 51% of the equity while a foreign company will hold the rest. MPPE has been present in Myanmar´s fuel business for a long time. It currently owns four main fuel terminals and 24 sub-terminals. After being privatized in 2010, MPPE sold its 216 gas stations to private companies across the country expect for 12 pumps.
Power sector: Lofty goals, missed targets Myanmar Times 1st Apr 2016
The power sector in Myanmar over the past five years has been characterised by ambitious plans and unrealised targets. While a few power projects have been completed during the outgoing government’s term, others were suspended or cancelled and dozens more remain in limbo. Myanmar remains one of the least-powered countries in Southeast Asia. Just over 30 percent of the country’s population has access to electricity, while a total of 6.8 million households across the country still need to be electrified, according to the Ministry of Electric Power (MOEP).
Philippines
DOST introduces green mining technology to help small-scale miners in the Philippines MIS Asia 31st Mar 2016
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has come up with a pro-environment method for extracting gold and copper in the Philippines. The method-- which was undertaken by DOST and the University of the Philippines Diliman-Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (UPDMMME)-- uses "enhanced gravity concentration-flotation extraction" which assures that waste materials disposed in the environment are safe and non-pollutant. The new method also allows for an 85 percent to 90 percent recovery rate of gold and other valuable mineral like copper and zinc, compared to the traditional method with only 40 percent.
Mar Roxas: 'The best is yet to come' ABS-CBN 30th Mar 2016
MANILA - Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas on Wednesday trumpeted before members of the business community the economic achievements of the Aquino administration, boasting that among the five presidential candidates, he is the only one standing on a platform of continuity.
Basic, Trans-Asia sign Mabini drilling contract The Manila Times 30th Mar 2016
Basic Energy Corporation (Basic) and Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation (TA) announced on Wednesday they have signed a drilling contract with a third party for their geothermal project in Mabini, Batangas after the consortium approved the drilling program for an exploratory well at the site. A Notice of Intent to Drill has likewise been submitted to the Department of Energy (DOE), the consortium said.
Philippines Commissions Largest Solar Project In Southeast Asia Clean Technica 30th Mar 2016
Earlier this month, the largest solar power project in Southeast Asia was commissioned in the Philippines. The project is a clear demonstration of the fact that the Philippines is a rapidly emerging solar power market in Southeast Asia. Two solar power projects with a total installed capacity of 185 MW were commissioned in the Philippines. This includes the largest project in Southeast Asia, a 135 MW project now operational at Cadiz. According to local media reports, the project has been established with a total investment of $200 million.
DOE rejects moratorium on coal plants’ development Manila Bulletin 30th Mar 2016
For once, the Department of Energy (DOE) has categorically stated that it will not impose moratorium on coal plant developments because these are still needed to meet the country’s growing energy demand. Instead, the department is working on policies and measures that shall set stricter standards on coal-fired power plants, including storage and handling of coal fuel. In a very emotional statement aimed at the recent pronouncement of former United States vice president Al Gore when he was in Manila, Energy Secretary Zenaida Y. Monsada has stated firmly that “we cannot stop coal plants” – at least she emphasized that “not at this time.”
Higher power rates loom in April Inquirer 28th Mar 2016
Consumers may have to pay slightly higher power bills next month as distribution utilities such as Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) start collecting new Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) charges. Regulators recently approved higher FIT-Allowance (FIT-All) charges of 12.40 centavos a kilowatt-hour (kWh) for 2016. The current rate (implemented since February 2015) is 4 centavos a kWh. The higher FIT-Allowance (FIT-All) will result in an additional P16.80 in the monthly bill of a typical Meralco consumer using 200 kWh, officials of the power retailer said. That is, if all other bill components such as the generation, transmission and distribution charges as well as related taxes remain the same.
Solar Power Caused Blackouts Across the Philippines — And It’s Going To Get Worse Daily Caller 28th Mar 2016
Solar power is wrecking the electrical grid in the Philippines, and the blackouts are only going to get worse according to reports by power grid operators published Monday. Data from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) showed that solar power has caused ‘stress’ on the power grid, leading to brownouts and blackouts. The data show that solar power is frying the grid by producing either too much, or too little electricity, triggering failures and blackouts in the Visayas island group of the Philippines.
Singapore
Basic Energy tapping Singapore solar firm the Standard 5th Apr 2016
Basic Energy Corp. said Monday it teamed up with solar power developer nv vogt Singapore Pte. Ltd. in line with its goal to develop alternative energy sources. Basic Energy said the agreement with nv vogt covered the development of solar power projects in San Fabian and Bolinao, Pangasinan and other sites deemed ideal for solar power development. Under the memorandum of understanding, signed by Basic Energy president Oscar De Venecia Jr. and nv vogt president Vivek Chaudhri, the two companies would conduct due diligence aimed at getting the initial solar project off the ground in BEC’s property in San Fabian, Pangasinan. The property has a total lot area of 17.8 hectares, with the first phase expected to yield 10 megawatts-peak.
Singapore International Energy Week 2016 Presents “New Energy Realities” Control Engineering Asia 5th Apr 2016
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has announced “New Energy Realities” as the theme for Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2016. The theme reflects the industry opportunities and challenges current environment of an excess supply of oil and gas. Oil prices have stayed down for a longer period than most had expected. This has discouraged new upstream investments, which would impact future supply. At the same time, the Paris Agreement following COP21 has given new impetus to the deployment of renewables. Technology progress has also continued to make energy production, systems and networks smarter, heralding new possibilities. Against this backdrop, SIEW 2016 will discuss how we can work together to navigate this period of change.
Cleantech industry has benefited from Singapore's commitment to research, innovation: Iswaran Channel NewsAsia 30th Mar 2016
The need for renewable energy solutions in Asia is significant and the cleantech industry has been able to benefit from Singapore's commitment to research and innovation. Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran said this on Wednesday (Mar 30) as he welcomed a S$250 million investment from REC, a solar panel producer. REC is investing S$200 million in automation and technology upgrading. It is pumping in another S$50 million in research and development (R&D) collaboration with Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) to develop a new type of solar panel.
Electricity tariffs to drop by 9.6% for next 3 months Channel NewsAsia 30th Mar 2016
Electricity tariffs will fall by an average of 9.6 per cent for the next three months, due to the lower cost of natural gas, SP Services announced on Wednesday (Mar 30). The tariff will decrease by 1.83 cents per kWh for Apr 1 to Jun 30. This means that the average monthly electricity bill for families living in four-room HDB flats will decrease by S$6.71, SP Services said.
Thailand
Thailand joins World Bank climate change alliance Energy Live News 6th Apr 2016
Thailand has joined a global alliance of more than 30 nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage. The government plans to advance the nation’s climate policy through the World Bank’s ‘Partnership for Market Readiness’ for developing countries. Established in 2011, it is a grant-based global partnership that provides support and funding for development and piloting of new and innovative market-based instruments to scale up climate change mitigation efforts. Thailand is the 22nd largest CO2 emitter in the world and the fifth largest in the East Asia and Pacific region, according to the World Bank.
Thai energy company to undertake a 20.8MW solar project in Japan PV Magazine 6th Apr 2016
Thailand’s Global Power Synergy Pcl (GPSC) is looking for opportunities to invest in solar projects in Japan, and will begin with a US$89 million PV plant in the city of Ichinoseki.Although not a big player on the solar PV scene, GPSC is the Power Flagship of Thailand’s state-owned energy company PTT Group, and it is looking for ways to expand its renewable energy portfolio. One area that it has highlighted is the solar PV market, in particular solar power opportunities in Japan. It announced on Monday, as reported by Reuters, that it will begin to build its Japanese PV portfolio with a 20.8MW plant in the northern Japanese city of Ichinoseki, in the Iwate Prefecture. The company has been allotted a substantial budget of 3.15bn Thai baht ($89 million) to develop the plant, which it expects to be operational by the end of 2017.
APERC: Thailand will likely use 86% more energy in 2040 NNT 6th Apr 2016
The Asia Pacific Energy Research Center (APERC) has predicted that Thailand’s energy use in 2040 will increase by 86% and suggested that the country save energy in the transport sector. Director of the Energy Policy and Planning Office Tawarat Sutabutr said the APERC forecast that Thailand’s energy use would continue increasing in the next 20-30 years but energy sources would decrease. Thailand’s energy import would likely increase to 78% from 42%, said the director. The APERC’s forecast suggested that Thailand still had to continuously save energy especially in the transport sector by promoting highly-efficient vehicles, alternative energy and mass transit.
Backing for Thailand’s renewable energy strategy The Nation 6th Apr 2016
Supportive policies, such as feed-in tariffs and programmes that promote investments, have played a key role in encouraging the growth of solar energy in Thailand, propelling the Kingdom to its current position as the largest producer of solar energy in Southeast Asia. "The bond market will play a crucial role in this transformation. Interest in solar-powered electricity generation and the consequent funding needs could ignite demand for power bonds in Thailand," highlights Chong Van Nee, RAM's co-head of Infrastructure and Utilities Ratings.
Thai renewable energy firm BCPG files for IPO to mop up over $85m Deal Street Asia 6th Apr 2016
BCPG Pcl, a renewable energy unit of Thailand’s oil refinery Bangchak Petroleum Pcl (BPC), expects to raise over 3 billion baht ($85 million) from selling not exceeding 600 million shares in an initial public offering (IPO) in the third quarter. The IPO shares makes up for 30 per cent of its registered and paid capital at the par value of 5 baht apiece, according to the company’s filing to the Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of the proceeds will be poured into aggressive investment in renewable energy projects domestically and internationally, BCP president Chaiwat Kovavisarach said.
Thailand confirms plans to develop national carbon market Carbon Pulse 6th Apr 2016
Thailand will start the process of developing the foundations for a national carbon price using World Bank funds, a climate official said, a process which will culminate in a mandatory emissions trading scheme. The South East Asian nation recently received a $3 million grant from the World Bank’s Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR), which helps emerging countries develop market-based mechanisms to combat climate change. “The World Bank Group’s support is critical to starting the process of introducing carbon pricing and other innovative instruments in Thailand,” Prasertsuk Chamornmarn, executive director of the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO), said in a statement.
Vietnam
$1tn could be wasted on 'unneeded' new coal plants, report warns The Guardian 30th Mar 2016
Almost $1tn of investment in new coal-fired power stations could be wasted if growing concerns about climate change and air pollution leave the plants unused, according to a new report. About 1,500 new coal plants are in construction or planning stages around the world but electricity generation from the fossil fuel has fallen in recent years, the detailed report from the Sierra Club, Greenpeace and CoalSwarm found. In China, existing plants are now used just 50% of the time, coal use is falling and new permits and construction have been halted in half of the nation’s provinces, affecting about 250 plants.
JAKS eyes IRR of 12% for RM7bil Vietnam plant The Star 30th Mar 2016
HANOI, Vietnam: JAKS Resources Bhd is eyeing an internal rate of return of 12% for its Vietnam US$1.87bil (RM7.52bil) coal-fired thermal power plant project independent power plant (IPP) project. The company’s chief executive officer Andy Ang said after a ground breaking ceremony of the IPP here on Sunday that he was happy with the returns of the effort that had been put in over the years to bring this project to fruition.
Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant to open by 2028 Kallanish Energy 28th Mar 2016
Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant will go online by 2028, part of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s plan to develop nuclear facilities in Vietnam to ensure a stable future power supply, Kallanish Energy reports. The country’s nuclear power generation capacity is expected to reach 4,600 megawatts (MW) by 2030, with roughly 32.5 billion kilowatt-hours of nuclear power produced, accounting for 5.7% of the country’s total electricity production, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Laos releases dam water to ease drought in Vietnam's Mekong Delta Thanh Nien News 27th Mar 2016
Laos has started releasing water from its dams to the Mekong River to help Vietnam's southern region cope with severe drought and saltwater intrusion, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry on Friday quoted Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath as saying that Laos had discharged around 1,136 cubic meters of water per second to the lower Mekong River basin on Wednesday. The country planned to keep doing so until the end of May.
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