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Renewables

Going live: 100MWp Vietnamese solar cluster launches

11 March 2019

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Vietnam

Two PV plants boasting a joint 100MWp in capacity have launched operations in Vietnam, reportedly becoming the largest PV project ever to go live in the country.

Deputy prime minister Truong Hoa Binh was amongst those attending the opening of Srepek 1 and Quang Minh plants at the Ea Wer commune (Dak Lak province), towards the south of the country.

The projects, built across a 120-hectare site, required US$94.6 million in investment. Construction began on 19 October 2018, followed by the commercial kick-off on 31 January 2019.

According to Vietnamese authorities, the projects will be followed by others in the Dak Lak province. With irradiation reaching some 1,900kW per square kilometre every year, the area boasts “huge potential” for solar, the government believes.

Speaking to state media, deputy prime minister Truong Hoa Binh was quoted as urging the “relevant agencies and localities” to continue creating a favourable environment for investors to back solar.

The PV projects’ reported status as Vietnam’s largest so far looks set to last little. A 420MW facility currently under construction in the Tay Ninh province could become, after its planned launch date of June 2019, Southeast Asia’s biggest to date.

The list of projects announced in recent years also includes B. Grimm’s 257MW farm (Phu Yen province) and Sunseap JV’s 186MW scheme (Ninh Thuan province)

Bioenergy

Indonesia plans to fuel all diesel power plants with CPO within two years

11 March 2019

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Indonesia

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan says the government is giving state-owned electricity company PLN two years to fuel all diesel power plants in the country with biodiesel made from crude palm oil (CPO).

Speaking before hundreds of students and other Indonesians living in Japan, Jonan said in Tokyo on Sunday that PLN was currently carrying out a study on how to convert CPO into fuel that could be used for diesel power plants.

“PLN is trying to use palm oil. Currently, the Plaju refinery [in South Sumatra] converts palm oil into diesel fuel,” said Jonan in a statement received on Monday.

Jonan was in Japan to explain to the Indonesians in the country the achievements made in energy development during the four years President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has been in office. Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Arifin Tasrif also attended the event at the Indonesian Embassy.

The government had made it mandatory for refineries to produce 20 percent blended biodiesel ( B20 ) since September last year and currently it has been conducting research into the use of B100 biodiesel as the major source of energy in trying to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels.

Jonan said the main aim of the Jokowi administration was to continue the energy program of previous governments with an emphases on energy distribution to remote areas. To implement the program, the government distributed solar-powered lamps (LTSHE) to 2,519 villages, particularly those not connected to any PLN electricity grid.

Jonan said the LTSHE program contributed 0.12 percent to the national electrification program. He added that the distribution of such technology was needed since PLN electricity networks could not be constructed any time soon in those areas because of geographical challenges. (bbn)

Electricity/Power Grid

Doosan E&C to Build Power Transmission Lines in Myanmar for 100 Bil. Won

11 March 2019

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Myanmar

Doosan Engineering and Construction (E&C) announced on March 11 that it received a letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Electricity and Energy of Myanmar (MoEE) on March 7 for a 100-billion-won project to build the Taungwoo-Kamanat Transmission Line.

The project is to construct 368 500-kV steel towers in a 174 km section from Taungungoo to Kamanat in Myanmar with a loan from the Economic Development and Cooperation Fund (EDCF).

The construction project costs 100.8 billion won (US$89.58 million), which means that it is large as a power transmission line construction project. Doosan E&C receives 20 percent of the contract amount as a down payment. The project will run for 27 months after the contract is signed.

Doosan E&C built a 230 kV transmission line in Cambodia from 2011 to 2012.

Myanmar is 6.5 times as wide as Korea but the total length of its transmission lines is one third of Korea’s. The Myanmar government is pursuing a development plan with the goal of meeting 100 percent of electricity demand by 2030.

Electricity/Power Grid

NEA nears 13 million household connection goal

10 March 2019

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — State-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) aims to meet its electricity consumer connections target of 13 million this year ahead of its anniversary in August.

NEA said latest official figures showed that the total electricity consumer connections within the coverage areas of 121 electric cooperatives (ECs) nationwide have already reached 12.88 million as of Jan. 31, 2019, which is already 99 percent of the 13-million target.

According to the NEA Information Technology and Communication Services department, majority of these are in Luzon with 6.07 million consumer connections, followed by Visayas with 3.45 million, and Mindanao with 3.36 million connections.

NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong said the agency, in close coordination with the ECs, is exploring all avenues to fasttrack the consumer connection in time for the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration in August.

“More than the goal of reaching this milestone, we want to be instrumental in achieving the government’s long-term vision to eliminate poverty in the country as enshrined in the AmBisyon Natin 2040 program,” Masongsong said.

The Duterte government’s AmBisyon Natin 2040 aims to transform the country into a prosperous middle-class society free of poverty by 2040.

Since 1969, the NEA, together with the ECs being the implementing arm of the government, has been at the forefront of bringing electricity to rural and remote areas through the implementation of the rural electrification program, thereby promoting economic growth and social development in the countryside.

When Masongsong assumed the NEA leadership, he came out with the seven-point electrification agenda, which includes, among others, the completion of the rural electrification program.

For the past 50 years, all the 78 provinces covering 90 cities and 1,385 municipalities in the country had been successfully electrified by NEA and 121 ECs.

Moreover, a total of 36,057 of the 36,065 barangays nationwide have attained 100 percent energization.

Electricity/Power Grid

NGCP secures more stable power supply for Visayas

10 March 2019

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has secured additional ancillary services to ensure stable power supply in the Visayas power grids until 2020.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has granted provisional authority (PAs) on NGCP’s ancillary services procurement agreement (ASPA) with Palm Concepcion Power Corp.

PCPC, a joint venture between Palm Thermal Consolidated Holdings Corp. (PTCHC) and Jin Navitas Resource Inc. (JNRI), owns and operates the 2×135-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Concepcion, Iloilo.

The grid operator’s ancillary service with PCPC will be sourced from the power plant, which was issued a certificate of compliance in May last year, allowing it to start operating commercially.

The deal covers up to 15 MW contingency reserve at P1.50 per kwh rate for the firm contracted capacity and also up to 15 MW at P2.25 per kwh for the non-firm or when the firm capacity is not scheduled.

CR is the capacity allocated to cover the loss or failure of a power plant or transmission line in order to maintain the balance in the power grid.

NGCP said the Visayas grid has not yet reached the required levels of contracted ancillary services while demand for power in the region continues to increase.

The ASPA with PCPC will assure the Visayas region of system reliability and grid stability until 2020.

Ancillary services are necessary to support the transmission capacity, maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the grid.

Oil & Gas

Phoenix, CNOOC set to start LNG hub

10 March 2019

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Philippines

posted March 10, 2019 at 07:15 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores

State-owned Philippine National Oil Co., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd. of China plans to break ground on the $2-billion liquefied natural gas project of Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc. in May. PNOC, Phoenix and CNOOC recently signed an agreement to put up an LNG re-gasification and receiving terminal with a capacity of 2.2 metric tons a year. “We already issued the NTP (notice to proceed) for Tanglawan, and they are now partnering with PNOC. They are looking at having groundbreaking early part of May… because we want… (a) partial operation… by 2024 (as) substitute LNG… (for) Malampaya,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said over the weekend.

The DoE has been pushing for the development of the LNG hub to secure the country’s power requirements in preparation for the eventual depletion of the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan starting in 2024. The Malampaya field supplies fuel to five Batangas natural gas power plants with a combined capacity of 3,000 megawatts.

Electricity/Power Grid

DOE ready to take over Iloilo power

10 March 2019

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) remains ready to take over Iloilo City’s power distribution service in the event the transition between Panay Electric Co. (PECO) and new player MORE Power and Electric Co. go south.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the agency is prepared to continue the power service in Iloilo City in case the two parties involved fail to resolve their dispute.

On March 6, PECO filed a petition for temporary restraining order (TRO) or writ of preliminary injunction with the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court (RTC) as it challenged the validity of a congressional franchise given to MORE Energy led by Enrique Razon.

MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro said the company has yet to receive the summon from the Mandaluyong RTC. “Our legal team is looking into it,” he said.

PECO is also asking the court to stop government agencies involved in implementing Republic Act 11212 while the validity of the law is being challenged and heard.

RA 11212, which grants the franchise to MORE Energy, allows the new player expropriate PECO assets under Sections 10 and 17.

PECO said this violates its right to due process and constitutional right to equal protection of the law.

It argued that “the authority granted to MORE for taking PECO’s assets is arbitrary and confiscatory” and “the law authorizes taking that is not for a public purpose.”

PECO said seizing its assets for the benefit of MORE Energy, which has stated early on that it does not have any facilities to begin with, is equivalent to confiscation of property that may not be done by government or delegated to a private entity.

“The assailed provisions of RA 11212 is not so much the grant of the power of eminent domain, but rather the scheme by which the law was used in a not-so-subtle attempt to unduly interfere with PECO’s rights,” PECO said.

PECO’s franchise expired last Jan. 19 and was not renewed by Congress. However, it was allowed to continue distributing power to Iloilo City as agreed by the DOE and ERC to ensure continued power service in the franchise area.

This is based on the certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by then Energy Regulatory Board (ERB), ERC’s predecessor office to PECO on May 31, 1996 effective until May 25.

The CPCN is the authorization issued by the ERB/ERC to entities engaged in the transmission or distribution of electricity for the operation of a transmission or distribution system.

Renewables

Sabah should look at renewable energy

10 March 2019

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Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah should look towards green renewable energy to make its mark in the region, said Tobpinai Ningkokoton Koburuon Kampung (Tonibung) founder Senator Adrian Lasimbang. He also stressed on the need to be innovative. “This is because we have so much local talent available in Sabah and I feel the current directive (focus) on industries in the State such as oil and gas as well as forestry needs to be changed. “This is because industries in the State such as oil and gas can already be considered a sunset industry with its very high production costs.

“We should look at renewable energy as a sunrise industry as this is where the State can stand out in the whole region given its strategic location.” He said this at the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) and Tobpinai Ningkokoton Koburuon Kampung’s (Tonibung) second series of Sabah Talk entitled Implementation of Renewable Energy Through Empowering Rural Communities” at IDS Hall, Wisma Sedia, here. About 150 people from both the public and private sectors participated in the event. Adrian said, however, the State still lacks a comprehensive energy master plan. “My observation after working 20 years (in the renewable energy sector) is that we don’t have a comprehensive energy master plan for the State. “I think it is high time we have a master plan not only on energy but also on how we can do development,” he said, adding the State also has to be the forerunner in green sustainable energy. The current plan is “kais pagi makan pagi” (just enough to get by). When we have projects, we don’t see it in terms of the future, we don’t see projection on the overall (picture) of where is the industrial development coming in. “I know the development corridors are there but it’s not consolidated to see how and where we can develop a sustainable development plan.” Meanwhile, on the event itself, Adrian said it was a good platform to provide an avenue for both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to share their experiences, have further discussions and to gain a better understanding on rural electrification in Sabah. “Today I also shared my 20 years of experience in promoting renewable energy in the State, especially in villages where this alternative energy can be used for development in isolated rural areas. “Our main problem to bring development to rural areas is the limitations we face as a result of a lack of electrical energy.

“There are still many isolated villages that do not have electricity. So an alternative energy source should be found to ensure these villages are not left out in enjoying the benefits of electricity supply. “Here I have also shared the micro-hydro system as one such alternative to be applied for this purpose.” He said one of the problems his team faced in carrying out their task was the lack of proper data on the actual numbers of villages in the State that are without electricity. “There are contradictions in the official statistics with figures ranging from 600 to 1,000 villages. However, what I do know is there are more than 600 villages in the rural areas in Sabah that still do not enjoy electricity supply. “Many of these villages are located in isolated regions such as Pensiangan, Paitan and various areas in Sipitang. So we are looking for ways to bring electricity to these areas, including using Solar PhotoVoltaic and micro-hydro based on our feasibility studies.” At present, he said, with the new government, the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (Mestecc) has given out various small funds for pioneer projects in Sabah. “One of these projects funded by Mestecc is a joint system of electricity and water. An example of this system we are now installing is in Pensiangan, which involves water filtration using solar pumps with any excess solar energy powering the villages. “So, we have just started such pioneer projects and from the results of such projects, the Government will consider much larger scale projects.” On his immediate plans, Adrian said it was also to push policies forward to promote renewable energy. “As far as what I see, renewable energy is generally promoted at the large scale such as industrial solar farms and we don’t have enough promotion of renewable energy in rural areas. “So we are really hoping that the Federal Rural Ministry (KPLB) will also adopt this at the federal level where the funds for such rural development projects come from. “In the context of Sabah, a lot of the villages are very remote and it will take years before the grid can come to them. Grid extension also comes with road access. If there is no road access, normally the grid also won’t go there, so we have to find alternative ways while waiting for the grid which will come in stages.

“We have to help these remote communities to have access to electricity which is part of the country’s goal to meet the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.” Meanwhile, IDS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Johan Arriffin Samad said rural electrification has always been a major concern in Sabah’s setting where most of the rural population are still not able to have good access to electricity. “Access to energy is deemed to be one of the most important pillars to support the socio-economic development where it serves as one of the indispensable tools to help in reducing poverty level. “One of the main constraints of lack of supply in the rural areas of Sabah is the decentralised geographical settings where most of the rural places are scattered, posing a technical and financial difficulty for conventional on-grid electric supply,” said Johan. He stressed that Sabah is in need to look into an alternative of using off-grid renewable resources to cater to the rural populations as a long term solution to elevate the local communities to be more productive and self-reliant. “In order to move towards sustainable rural electrification, the application of renewable energy needs to be implemented within the local setting through empowering of local communities and integrating them to participate in the projects”. He said the model set by Tonibung pioneered by Adrian on rural electrification that encompasses community engagement are one of the successful efforts to empower rural communities and boosting their socio-economic growth.

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