News Clipping Archive - Page 1019 of 1296

Electricity/Power Grid

REC Group begins mass production of Alpha module in Singapore

11 October 2019

–

Singapore

The Alpha module is a high power 60-cell module REC is now producing at a $150 million production site in Singapore, amounting to an additional 600 MW of heterojunction (HJT) cell and module capacity and bringing REC Group’s total module capacity in Singapore to 1.8 GW annually.

The REC Alpha Series was initially launched at Intersolar Europe on May 15, 2019 and presented to a wide audience at further major industry events in the US, Japan and India. The first rooftop systems from initial production volumes have already been installed in Italy, the Netherlands, US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The Alpha series utilises the most advanced commercialised technology and delivers up to 380 watt-peak (Wp), translating to a leading power density of 217 W/m², providing 20 percent more power than conventional panels in the same area. It performs perfectly in both cold and hot climatic conditions and is supported by a super-strong frame which can withstand even the most severe weather.

The panel is also supported by REC’s 25-year performance warranty, guaranteeing 92 percent of nameplate power after 25 years.

“Our dedicated goal is to empower consumers” said REC’s CEO Steve O’Neil. “And we know that only with big leaps, the global energy transition can thrive. Alpha is a crucial tool for homeowners to do exactly this and gain energy autonomy.”

REC’s Chief Technology Officer Shankar G. Sridhara, added that the opening of the new factory is a bold move, as is producing 600 MW in one shot.

Renewables

Australia to export solar energy to Singapore

11 October 2019

–

Singapore

Singapore is home to 5.6 million people and the City-State is well known for its wealth of tech startups and innovative projects. But, at present, 95% of Singapore’s electricity is generated from liquid natural gas which is imported mainly from Malaysia and Indonesia. Australia will soon become a world-leader in exporting renewable energy with plans to transport solar power to Singapore.

Sun Cable is the company behind the bold move, which aims to farm the power at a 15,000-hectare site at Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. It will then send the energy to Singapore via an underwater cable from Darwin. Australia has already been exporting power overseas for decades through the shipping of coal and gas across the globe. But this would be the first move to export renewable energy which has the potential to kickstart an entirely new industry in this country.

David Griffin is the chief executive of Sun Cable and has been developing utility-scale solar and wind farms in Australia and South Africa since 2000. Mr. Griffin said, “The market was there in Singapore and I was confident the project would be able to deliver clean energy to the City-State in the near future – delivering huge benefits to Australia.” When asked, whether this was a start of an export industry, he said, “Absolutely, we have so much of this resource, it is the cheapest form of energy. There is very strong interest. We are in discussions and those discussions will go on for a number of years.”

There are plenty of logistics that need to be worked out, but the project has already been granted ‘major project’ status by the Northern Territory Government and environment approvals are pending. Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2023.

Facebook Twitter Tumblr LinkedIn Share

Energy Cooperation

Malaysia, Singapore continue energy talks

11 October 2019

–

Malaysia

MALAYSIA is expected to conduct further discussions with Singapore to potentially bring the latter onboard the Asean Power Grid that would provide business-to-business (B2B) opportunities in the new energy space.

Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin (picture) said she will be attending the Singapore International Energy Week later this month to continue discussions between both nations towards an energy supply agreement.

She said the initiative is a result of an earlier agreement between Malaysia, Laos and Thailand to expand the energy capacity from a trilateral Power Integration Project (PIP) to 300MW under the Asean energy grid.

“That has piqued Singapore interest to be connected to the Asean grid,” she said during the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia 2019 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

She said Malaysia is already constructing an undersea cable to connect to Singapore’s power grid, with the first phase of 550MW to be completed by year-end, while the second phase is to be finalised by April next year.

Yeo said the Singaporean government is keen on power trading, especially in renewable energy (RE), as multinational companies in the country are keen on purchasing RE by electrons as opposed to via certificates (or carbon offsets).

Should the plan materialises, Yeo said it would be done on a B2B basis with the Malaysian government to provide the “highway” or infrastructure to facilitate the energy trading.

“We have started the conversation (last year) before Australia. Hopefully, we will be able to further our discussions at the end of this month,” she said.

The initiative is also in tandem with the plan by Singapore’s Sun Cable Pte Ltd to build the world’s largest solar farm, valued at an estimate of US$14 billion (RM58.66 billion), in the northern region of Australia, which could export 3GW of power via a 3,800km subsea cable to the island republic.

The Asean Power Grid, meanwhile, is aimed at ensuring greater energy security between South-East Asian countries via regional cooperation.

The project is ultimately geared towards creating a secure, reliable and sustainable energy grid in the region.

Yeo was speaking during a session on the Malaysia Electricity Supply Industry (MESI) 2.0 which is aimed at driving a more efficient and competitive electricity supply market.

This includes liberalisation and allowing third access in the power market, which was previously dominated by Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Petroliam Nasional Bhd, and ending power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Currently, PPAs provide independent power producers with guaranteed capacity and energy payments. This will be replaced by a capacity and energy market.

Yeo said the first auction for the capacity market will commence in 2023, while her ministry engages with power players, financial institutions and stakeholders to determine the best framework to facilitate the transition.

“The rules and the approval of the capacity market design will take about from now till the end of 2021 (to finalise). It will take a long time, so we will continue to engage,” she said.

The liberalised and transformed market will further allow power generators to source their own fuel to optimise cost.

Yeo said fuel makes up the bulk or 42% of the total tariff cost in Malaysia.

The retail tariff, in contrast, is only at one sen per kilowatt hour.

Injecting more competition in fuel procurement will thus create more competitive fuel costs in terms of electricity generation, she added.

Last month, The Malaysian Reserve reported that Yeo planned to execute 80% of what is currently in the pipeline under MESI 2.0 in 2020.

This master plan and framework will prepare Malaysia to cope with changing trends in electricity demand and consumption in the future, as well as technological changes.

Bioenergy

Exclusive: India may restrict imports of palm oil, other goods from Malaysia – sources

11 October 2019

–

Malaysia

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI (Reuters) – India is considering restricting imports of some products from Malaysia including palm oil, according to government and industry sources, in reaction to the Southeast Asian country’s leader criticizing New Delhi for its actions in Kashmir.

India is looking for ways to limit palm oil imports and may place restrictions on other goods from the country, said a government source and an industry source who participated in discussions led by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on the planned restrictions.

The sources asked not to be named as the proposal was still under discussion.

India’s government was angered after Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said last month at the United Nations that India had “invaded and occupied” Jammu and Kashmir and asked New Delhi to work with Pakistan to resolve the issue.

Muslim-majority Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, which both claim it in full and have twice gone to war over the territory. India revoked the special constitutional status of its portion of Kashmir in August, angering Pakistan.

The government wants to send a strong signal of its displeasure to Malaysian authorities, the sources said.

India, the world’s biggest importer of edible oils, is planning to substitute Malaysian palm oil with supplies of edible oils from countries such as Indonesia, Argentina and Ukraine, said the sources.

Palm oil accounts for nearly two-thirds of India’s total edible oil imports. India buys more than 9 million tonnes of palm oil annually, mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia.

In the first nine months of 2019 India was the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil, taking 3.9 million tonnes, according to data compiled by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

A spokeswoman for India’s commerce ministry said the ministry could not comment on things that were under consideration.

ALTERNATIVE SELLERS

Malaysia’s prime minister on Friday said he had not received “anything official” from India, after Reuters first reported that India was mulling restricting imports of Malaysian palm oil and other products.

The news prompted Malaysian palm oil futures to snap five days of gains to end lower on Friday evening.

The benchmark palm oil contract for December delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange that had earlier been trading up on the day, fell 0.9% to close at 2,185 ringgit ($522.23) per tonne.

A Mumbai-based refiner said it would not create a shortage of edible oils in India if buyers there stopped importing palm oil from Malaysia.

“Indonesia is eager to sell more and more palm oil to India,” the refiner said, adding that India could also increase imports of soyoil from Argentina and sunflower oil from Ukraine to offset any drop in Malaysian palm oil shipments.

Indonesia wants New Delhi to increase palm oil purchases and wants to buy sugar from India in exchange.

Higher Indian imports had helped Malaysia reduce stockpiles in 2019, but stocks could rise again and prices could come under pressure if India curtails or stops imports, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm.

India’s government is also planning some restrictions on imports from Turkey, one of the government sources said, as Ankara has issued repeated statements on Kashmir, an issue that India considers an internal matter.

In addition to tensions around Kashmir, there has also been friction between India and Malaysia over Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, whom Indian authorities want extradited from Malaysia.

In 2016, an Indian counterterrorism agency accused Naik of promoting hate speech.

Energy Economy

Budget 2020: Green tax exemptions extended to 2023

11 October 2019

–

Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s renewable energy policies got a further boost in Budget 2020 with the Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) and Green Income Tax Exemption (GITE) receiving an extension to year 2023.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng announced the green tax measures to help the nation achieve its target of 20% renewable energy mix by 2025 when tabling the Budget 2020 at Parliament on Friday (Oct 11).

“In addition, tax incentives will also be introduced to companies implementing solar leasing activities with income tax exemption of 70% for up to 10 years,” he said.

Lim added the government will also accelerate the implementation of Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) for Government buildings, focusing on hospitals and educational institutions.

He said through the EPC, the initial capital investment in energy saving equipment for government buildings will be repaid through cost savings achieved.

Energy Economy ,
Others

Malaysia and Australia Sign Peer-to-peer Energy Trading Tech Deal

11 October 2019

–

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) and an Australian technology firm will together launch an eight-month pilot project of the firm’s peer-to-peer energy trading technology. The deal will see the firm test its blockchain-enabled P2P platform in Malaysia, with a trial due to start later this year. That pilot scheme will run for two months in an alpha test mode, before expanding to a beta run for six months.

SEDA hopes the trial will stimulate the growth of Malaysia’s solar PV rooftop market and accelerate the deployment of more distributed energy resources, such as battery storage, in the country. The tech firm, meanwhile, cited continuing regulatory change in Malaysia as opening the door for surplus, on-site generated power to be traded between buyers and sellers, using the grid as a ‘virtual battery’ to unlock further uptake.

The co-founder and chairman at the firm said that the project was part of a plan of the company’s to work with regulators and electricity retailers to make energy markets more efficient. Advancements in renewable energy technologies, coupled with regulatory changes, are starting to unlock new opportunities for the energy sector.

The firm has partnered with a number of renowned energy companies to improve the efficiency and transparency of energy markets globally. The Malaysia trial comes hot off the back of a similar announcement, made last week, which revealed the tech firm had partnered with a Japanese solar company and an energy supply firm to trial its technology in Japan’s Kanto region.

That project has been designed to offset the impact of feed-in tariff reductions taking place this month, due to affect more than 500,000 customers in the country. Both pilots expand on those previously announced in Japan and Australia, with energy storage set to play a pivotal role in allowing for the proliferation of such business models on those two cases.

Meanwhile, the Malaysia trial, for now, is focused on assessing and promoting the potential of rooftop solar, using the grid as a kind of ‘virtual battery’.

Malaysia’s Solar Tech Industry to Grow

OpenGov Asia reported recently that while a lower bid price for developers suggests that the scope for any margin of error, such as project implementation delays, could adversely hit project economics, Malaysia has a relatively favourable investment environment with low political, economic and operating risks compared to regional peers.
Earlier in September 2019, solar prices dropped to a record low, around the US$40/MWh mark in the third round of the country’s large-scale solar programme.
A Singapore-based firm forecasts that Malaysia’s solar capacity will double from 438MW installed in 2018 to 966MW within ten years.
The prospect of solar projects remains positive and point to scope for accelerating growth in the market over the coming years.
The country’s high irradiation levels, its established domestic solar manufacturing sector, and the government’s plan to launch more large-scale solar tenders after the last rounds were significantly oversubscribed will all contribute to growth.
A government push to improve the competitive landscape for the power sector will also create a more favourable investment environment, giving greater scope for renewables growth when more capacity is procured.
A reform of the Malaysian electricity retail market industry will launch in late 2019, and state-owned energy company Tenaga Nasional Berhad will be restructured by the third quarter of 2020.

Energy Efficiency

Malaysian Green Technology Corporation Unveils 10th IGEM

11 October 2019

–

Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — The 10^th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2019), targeting RM2.8 billion in business leads and 35,000 visitors from 35 countries, was officiated today by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, in the presence of cabinet ministers, ambassadors, international delegates and other dignitaries. Malaysian Green Technology Corporation is the co-organiser of the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia.

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia officiates IGEM 2019

Spearheaded by Yeo Bee Yin, the Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, IGEM 2019, themed “Innovating Sustainability”, boasts a sold-out exhibition floor of over 300 booths across renewable energy (RE), energy efficiency, transport, waste, water, manufacturing and agriculture sectors, with a view to anchoring all innovation on sustainability as well as adopting sustainability across all industries to ensure a promising future of climate stability along with economic prosperity.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, “Today is a great day for us to recommit to delivering on our climate change responsibilities. We have seen the emergence of a low-carbon economy that is based on improving human well-being and building social equity while reducing environmental risks and scarcities. Over the past couple of decades, the green economy has emerged as a strategic priority to basically transform economies into drivers of sustainability.”

“Malaysia’s progress as a longstanding proponent of balancing environmental conservation, technological innovation and economic prosperity has been underpinned by a dynamic innovative ecosystem and affirmative institutional support. The country has ramped up efforts to develop an innovative ecosystem to support new start-ups, and to garner greater inclusivity, we have promoted innovation at the grassroots level,” he added.

To encourage greater uptake of RE, Yeo Bee Yin announced the introduction of a green tariff to enable Malaysians to opt for sustainable energy sources, as part of the Reimagining Malaysia’s Electricity Supply Industry proposal (MESI 2.0). She further elaborated that the green tariff would be in the form of a tariff rider that will give consumers an option to use energy that has been generated exclusively from renewable sources such as solar, biomass or biogas.

The Minister also launched the Malaysian Green Attribute Tracking System (MGATS), a dedicated national platform for tracking and trading of green attributes from RE generation, tasked with tracing and verifying national RE sources. MGATS will also facilitate the issuance of tradable RE certificates, which will form a key component in encouraging green investments.

Yeo Bee Yin said “IGEM has been through a myriad of transitions over the last decade to stay relevant with changing demands related to the low-carbon economy and sustainability actions. Over the years, IGEM has shaped people’s mindsets to accelerate acceptance, adoption and appreciation of green technology products and services across ministries, corporations, entrepreneurs, businesses, and the general public.”

“IGEM is undoubtedly a powerful platform to simultaneously reach out to various stakeholders, which is of absolute importance today as it will require the coordinated efforts and contribution of all ministries, stronger partnerships between the public and the private sectors and, of course, the support of the rakyat to ensure we deliver on our country’s climate promise,” she concluded.

To strengthen institutional capability and capacity for delivering on the climate change agenda, the Minister also announced that effective 2^ndOctober 2019, Malaysian Green Technology Corporation, the co-organiser of IGEM, has been rebranded as the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre. The rebranded organisation will have an expanded portfolio that will include strategising climate-resilience actions, leading inter-ministerial collaborations, encouraging uptake of green technology innovations across industries and raising awareness among the general public.

The Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre will act as a hub for climate change data, policy analysis, reporting and monitoring of mitigation actions and climate change adaptation on the national level, effectively becoming the executing body for climate change and green technology for MESTECC.

Sponsored by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Cypark Resources Berhad and UEM Edgenta, IGEM 2019 features a total of 10 conferences, hosted by local and international parties such as The Nordics, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the High Commission of Canada, International Urban Sustainability and Green Building Conference, Shell Malaysia, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, Capital Markets Malaysia, Malaysia Commercialisation Year and Technology Park Malaysia.

Energy Economy ,
Others

RE goals to attract RM33b in private investments

11 October 2019

–

Malaysia

MALAYSIA’S goal to increase its renewable energy (RE) mix to 20% by 2025 is estimated to attract RM33.25 billion in private investments, creating new employment and business opportunities.

Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said this estimate is a result of a study her ministry commissioned to determine the monetary value in moving towards a greener energy future.

“That is a lot of money to invest, but at the same time, there are a lot of returns you can get,” she said in an address during the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2019 in Kuala Lumpur (KL) yesterday.

“Green (energy and technology), from the government’s perspective, is not only about cutting our carbon emissions and meeting our Paris Agreement. It is really about (wanting) to generate a new growth area and jobs for our people in Malaysia.”

She said Malaysia’s transition into a higher RE mix by 2025 is estimated to contribute to over 100,000 in employment opportunities, of which 39% will be in mini hydro, biomass (28%) and biogas (11%).

Rooftop solar and large scale solar will make up about 22% of the projected employment figure.

Malaysia is among the signatories of the historic 2015 Paris Agreement — a multinational pledge to combat climate change — and promised to reduce its carbon emission per GDP by 45% in 2030. This is relative to its energy intensity in 2005.

Yeo said Malaysia is on a “comfortable path” in achieving this target having already reduced carbon emissions by 33% and will consider increasing its target after being approached by the United Nations (UN).

This will only be announced next year during the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, she said.

However, achieving a 20% RE generation mix by 2025 is a far more challenging and arduous task as an estimated 6.9gW additional capacity is needed from alternative energy sources.

Note that the target also excludes large scale hydro projects above 100mW. Towards this, the government via the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) has undertaken several initiatives to encourage greater green energy use and green technology adoption.

This includes the revised net energy metering scheme which allows for excess solar energy produced from homes to be sold to Tenaga Nasional Bhd on a “one-on-one” basis where there is no difference between selling and purchasing prices.

Previously, energy bought was higher than what was sold to the national utility. The revised scheme saw its uptake increase three times in the first nine months of this year compared to the three year-period from 2016 to 2018.

Meanwhile, the bids for the third cycle of the Large Scale Solar project came in as low as 17.77 sen per kilowatt hour (kWh).

This was below the average gas generation cost of 23.22 sen per kWh and was the first time in Malaysia’s history that the generation cost for solar energy was below the average cost of gas-generated power.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s feed-in tariff mechanism saw 389 non-performing projects cancelled and approximately RM2.16 billion saved as a result.

The IGEM entered its 10th edition this year and is striving to generate RM2.83 billion in business leads over the three-day event.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (picture) launched the event yesterday and said the government is committed in providing private businesses the avenue to innovate and garner profits in Malaysia’s green industry.

He further announced that Malaysian Green Technology Corp — an agency set up under MESTECC to spearhead Malaysia’s green agenda — will be rebranded to Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (GreenTech Malaysia) .

“A national climate change centre is required to do climate change-related data collection, risk analytics, policy coordination among different levels and aspects of government to ensure that Malaysia does not only survive, but thrive as the globe inevitably warms in the future,” he said during his keynote address.

He added that the rebranding of GreenTech Malaysia is in line with the current government’s pledge to keep the civil service lean and reduce public expenditure.

News Clipping

ALTERNATIVE SELLERS

Malaysia’s Solar Tech Industry to Grow

User Dashboard

Back To ACE

User Dashboard