YANGON, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) — A total of seven regions and states will soon get electricity access under the National Electrification Plan (NEP), the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Saturday.
As part of the NEP, the Electricity Supply Enterprise (ESE) under the Ministry of Electricity and Energy and 12 tender-winning companies signed agreements for the electrification project implementation in those regions and states.
The electrification project will cover the country’s Rakhine, Chin and Shan states, Sagaing, Magway and Bago regions and Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, providing electricity to a total of 193,013 households.
Meanwhile, the grid extension projects are being implemented by the ministry, with the help of the World Bank.
Construction work on the first phase of the NEP will start in March, aiming to provide electricity to 626,757 households in 5,080 villages located within 3.2 km of the national grid.
The project will complete in 2021.
The country expects to reach its target of 55 percent of electrification rate in 2021.
The first image that usually springs to mind when someone mentions any Southeast Asian capital is that of congested roads filled with honking cars and motorcycles. Congested roads have become synonymous with Southeast Asia, and that is not going to change anytime soon.
According to the latest data, vehicle sales in Southeast Asia is set to outpace all other regions in the world. In 2017, aggregate new car sales in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines rose five percent to nearly 3.4 million units. Aside from that, it is estimated that vehicle ownership across the region will grow by more than 40 percent by 2040.
The region has a particularly high car ownership rate compared to other parts of the world. It is not uncommon to have more than one car per household in countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. In Vietnam, motorcycles are the vehicle of choice. The Vietnam Investment Review highlighted last year that Hanoi has an average growth rate of 10 percent and it is projected that by 2025, Hanoi alone will have 11 million motorcycles on its streets.
As vehicle sales are expected to rise across the region, concerns over the environment have been raised. Since most vehicles in the region run on gasoline or diesel, they contribute significantly to the worsening air pollution in Southeast Asian cities. For example, increasing car ownership in Jakarta has worsened air quality there. Despite phasing out leaded gasoline 10 years ago, Jakarta’s air quality hasn’t improved by much. A study by the Faculty of Public Health University of Indonesia found that 58 percent of all illnesses among people living in the city were related to air pollution. With demand for automobiles increasing, this could get worse.
Electric vehicles (EVs) could however change all that. EVs, including hybrid electric cars can drastically reduce carbon emissions released into the environment. Compared to conventional cars that release unhealthy amounts of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxides and nitrogen oxides into the environment, battery-electric cars effectively produce zero-emissions from their tailpipes.
Source: Various
In a study commissioned by Nissan and carried out by research firm Frost & Sullivan, it was revealed that a third of Southeast Asian consumers are open to buying an electric car. Titled “Future of Electric Vehicles in Southeast Asia”, the study found that consumers in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia as the most enthusiastic about the future of EVs.
Awareness over the environment and the rising middle class in the region has already boosted EV sales in some countries. In Malaysia, Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEV) – which includes EVs – penetration surpassed its 2018 target, reaching 62 percent. For 2019, the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) has set an ambitious target of 70 percent penetration for EEVs in the country. Following these trends, it is also expected that Malaysia’s third national car – currently under development – will be an electric car.
In Vietnam, Vinfast, the country’s first national automotive manufacturer jumped onto the bandwagon last year with a line of electric scooters. The company is expected to also manufacture electric cars.
The Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) set a target in 2014 to have one million electric vehicles on Philippine roads by 2020. The association is also working with the government to develop an Electric Vehicle Roadmap.
The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) has also collaborated with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to introduce electric tricycles (e-trikes) powered by lithium-ion battery technology. The initiative aims to reduce the transportation sector’s annual petroleum consumption by 2.8 percent and cut carbon dioxide emissions estimated at 259,008 tons annually by shifting to 100,000 e-trikes.
Singapore has long flirted with the idea of electric buses. In October last year, the island state’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) awarded tenders to three firms for 60 electric buses, in a move to make its public transportation more environmentally friendly. It may not be too long until all its buses go completely electric.
With such rapid development and policy focus on electric mobility, EVs could well be the future of transportation in the region. As investments and demand in this area grow, coupled with comprehensive government policies in place, maybe we will see traffic jams lined with EVs instead of gas guzzling cars.
The venture has awarded an onshore-offshore front end engineering design (FEED) contract for Italian oilfield services provider Saipem for a proposed integrated natural gas-to-power development which treats gas from Ca Voi Xanh (Blue Whale) – Vietnam’s largest gas field, discovered in 2011.
The proposed project consists of an offshore platform, a pipeline to transport the gas ashore, an onshore gas treatment plant and pipelines that feed gas to third-party power plants to generate electricity locally.
ExxonMobil is filing appropriate permits, planning applications and other preparatory work for the proposed development. If approved, ExxonMobil will lead the construction and operation of the project, the oil company said on Wednesday [January 30].
“The Ca Voi Xanh project could bring a number of long-term benefits to the country, including cleaner, reliable power to help drive economic growth and improved living standards,” said Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Development Company.
“If the project goes forward, it is estimated to generate $20 billion in revenue to the Vietnamese government, thousands of local jobs and improved energy security from domestic gas development,” he added.
Electricity of Vietnam, PetroVietnam, and Singapore-based Sembcorp are in discussions to build and operate the power plants. The proposed base development is expected to generate 3,000 MW of power, equivalent to about 10% of Vietnam’s current total power demand.
The amount of clean power supply in Cambodia is expected to rise as solar power gains momentum. ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
The Kingdom’s renewable energy supply is expected to grow as more solar power plants are being built and new investors express interest in the sector, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Ministry spokesman Victor Jona said on Thursday that following Singapore-based energy provider Sunseap Group establishing Cambodia’s first large-scale solar farm, more investors have been showing interest in solar energy.
He said that last year the ministry signed an official agreement with SchneiTec Group, a joint venture between Cambodian and Chinese investors, to build a 60MW solar power plant in Kampong Speu province which is expected to begin operating later this year.
Jona said another solar power plant in Kampong Chhnang province is expected to begin construction this year after receiving technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“ADB has completed the feasibility study and prepared bidding documents, and is planning to open for bids next month [February],” he said.
According to Jona, many investors have approached officials about the possibility of investing in solar energy, but they are only in primary discussions and there is no official approval yet except for the three aforementioned projects.
There was a report on Thursday that the Gideon Group, a US-based global corporate and project financing specialist, is to provide funding for a $488 million solar power project in Phnom Penh.
The 135MW Kandal Solar Power Project is being developed by Inner Renewable Energy (Cambodia) Co Ltd with support from the government.
However, Jona said yesterday ministry officials have not reached an agreement with the firm. He said that in general, before reaching a deal on investment, there must first be an arrangement in place for the purchase and sale of the energy produced.
“I don’t think the firm has found a buyer and they have not had a specific study on the plant yet.”
“In general, in order for a project to receive investment, there is a need for specialist studies and a signed agreement on the implementation of the project – a buying and selling agreement with Electricity du Cambodge or other buyers,” he said.
Jakarta, (ANTARA News) – A member of the House Commission VII overseeing energy, mineral resources, research and technology and environmental affairs, Tifatul Sembiring, spoke about the importance of the draft law for new and renewable energy in an attempt to prepare people for the future.
“The draft law for new and renewable energy should be accelerated. As a result, the Indonesian people will not experience a culture shock toward new and renewable energy,” Sembiring said here on Friday.
If the discussion of the draft law in the 2014-2019 period is not resolved, then the draft law must be prioritized in the next period.
He said that fossil energy such as petroleum will be eroded rapidly.
Thus, people should be able to adapt quickly with regard to the use of new and renewable energy.
“The capacity of fossil energy is limited. Gas, coal, petroleum will run out,” he said.
Therefore, the government should look for new sources that can be used massively by the entire community.
The lawmaker also spoke about human intelligence in developing technology. The new technology prioritizes the use of new energy, for example hybrid vehicles.
Previously, Indonesia was considered not serious in developing new and renewable energy. The use of coal was still dominant in the country.
“The government`s target is too high, but it is not in accordance with the implementation. The use of coal is still dominant in the country. The government of policy should focus on clean energy which minimizes the use of fossil fuels,” Program Manager for the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) Marlistya Citraningrum earlier said.
The Gideon Group, a US-based global finance firm, yesterday announced its intention to invest $488 million in a 135-megawatt solar plant in Kandal province.
In a statement issued yesterday, Gideon Group president and CEO Salman Khan said the Kandal solar project is being developed by Inner Renewable Energy (Cambodia), also known as IREC, with the support of the government.
“We are pleased to partner with the National Bank of Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK Bank), one of United Arab Emirates’ premier commercial banks, enabling our firm to invest in this important project,” said Mr Khan.
IREC has been working closely with the government to develop the renewable energy sector in the Kingdom, said IREC chairman Meas Sethviphou. The company proposed the Kandal solar plant and is now working on the feasibility study, he added.
“This day has been a long time in the making. For over four years, I have worked to develop an environmentally-friendly solution for increasing the Kingdom of Cambodia’s energy production and energy independence,” Mr Sethviphou said in the statement.
Other key partners in the project include First Solar, a US-based photovoltaic panel manufacturer, Arthit E&C, a design consulting firm, and China National Technical Import and Export Corporation, one of the world’s largest engineering companies.
Deth-Udom Mahasaranond, First Solar country head, said in the statement that the project is a near-perfect fit for the company due to its proximity to their production facility in Malaysia.
“The 135 MW solar project is an important first step in helping Cambodia meet its objective of developing an adequate and reliable source of electricity for the future,” he said.
A solar plant in Siem Reap province. KT/Chea Vannak
“While it is estimated that Cambodia has nearly 10,000 MW of hydroelectric power potential, only about 1,000 MW has actually been developed, leading to a higher reliance on energy imports from neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos,” Mr Mahasaranond said.
Victor Jona, director general of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, told Khmer Times that the ministry gave IREC a green light to conduct a feasibility study on the project, but that the company has yet to confirm their intention to invest in the plant.
“We can’t confirm this investment from IREC until the company signs an agreement to sell power to Electricite du Cambodge or to a special economic zone. The company has not approached us for this yet,” Mr Jona said.
He added that investment in renewable energies is increasing every year. In 2017, a $12.5-million, 10 MW solar farm was completed in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet city by Singaporean firm Sunseap. This is the country’s first large-scale solar farm.
Another plant, able to generate 60 MW, will come online by the end of this year. Developed by Schneitec Renewable, the $58-million project is a joint venture of Cambodian and Chinese investors. The plant will be located on 200 hectares adjacent to National Road 51 in Kampong Speu.
Finally, Mr Jona noted, bidding for another 60 MW solar farm in Kampong Chhnang province will start in upcoming months.
The government recently said that it plans to have all 24 provinces in the country connected to the national grid by 2020. Five provinces still lack access to it – Tboung Khmum, Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey, Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri.
Cambodia now has 2,141 kilometres of transmission lines and 33 substations. The government has previously stated that its goal is to electrify all villages in the country by 2020. Currently, 87 percent of the country’s 14,168 villages have access to power.
Last year, Cambodia consumed 2,650 MW, a 15 percent increase compared to a year earlier. 442 MW were imported from Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos in 2018.
The European Union, through the Access to Sustainable Energy Programme, agreed to co-finance seven renewable energy projects that would provide power to around 40,000 households in remote areas of the Philippines, the Energy Department said Thursday. “Our goal is to provide electricity throughout the entire archipelago by 2020. These projects will bring more progress in Mindanao as thousands of Filipino families, particularly those living in far-flung areas of the region, will have access to power,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said. The launching of the renewable energy projects was led by Energy assistant secretary Redentor Delola, EU head of development cooperation Enrico Strampelli and Mindanao Development Authority Undersecretary Janet Lopoz. Strampelli said the project awardees signed their respective contracts on Dec. 13, 2018, right after the extension of the ASEP implementation period. “Over the next three years, ASEP will continue to work with the DOE in improving the lives of vulnerable communities in the country,” he said Under the program, the EU will contribute 21 million euros to co-finance up to 80 percent of the projects which involve energy investments in several areas. These include hybridization and income-generating activities through the introduction of productive uses of electricity; innovative provision of basic electricity supply and services for poor, disadvantaged areas; electrification for livelihood generation through the solar photovoltaic home system in the Bangsamoro area; support to decentralized and mini grids; capacity building on rural electrification; energy efficiency measures; and renewable energy management.
The seven projects include Strengthening Off-grid Lighting with Appropriate Renewable Energy Solutions which would grant 5 million euros to Mahintana Foundation Inc. The Improving the Lives of People in Off-Grid Communities in Mindanao through the Provision of Sustainable Energy gave 4.5 million euros to Yamog organization while SolarBnB Microhotel & Island Livelihood Energizer—Platform allocated 3.9 million euros to Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas ng Pilipinas or WWF Philippines. The EU also gave a 4.2-million-euro grant to United Nations Industrial Development Organization for its renewable energy technology for seaweed value added in Tawi-Tawi projects and 3.7-million-euro grant to People in Need for its Renewable Energy Access for off-grid Communities and Households. The others projects are Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth which provided 2.2 million euros to Sequa and 3.8 million euros to Clean Energy Living Laboratories of Ateneo de Manila University. Alena Mae S. Flores Around 150 participants from the Philippine energy sector, regional and local government, civil society organizations and the academe attended the event.
THE ENERGY SECTOR will play a big role in implementing the proposed energy efficiency and conservation law as about half of the thousands of megawatts that can be displaced with the adoption of the legislation will come from power facilities, an official of an industry organization said.
Alexander Ablaza, president of the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance, Inc. (PE2), said 45,900 megawatts (MW) are waiting to gathered through energy efficiency initiatives, of which about 23,000 MW are currently accounted for by power facilities.
“We have under our noses 45,900 MW to be harvested from anyone and anything that is using energy today,” he told reporters on Thursday.
Mr. Ablaza made the statement during the press briefing to introduce Water Philippines, a conference scheduled in March that, for the first time, includes renewable energy, and energy efficiency and conservation stakeholders.
The figure is only the minimum capacity that can be gathered through the law that is awaiting the President’s signature, he added.
“Roughly half of that is in the power sector,” he said. “We’re saying that potentially 23,000 MW of the 43,000 MW in the Philippine Energy Plan of new installed generating capacity can be deferred between now and 2040.”
Mr. Ablaza was referring to the 43,765 MW in required additional capacity that the Department of Energy (DoE) projected by 2040 using in its simulation an average annual economic growth rate of 5.7% and an assumed power reserve margin of 25% above the peak demand.
Based on the DoE’s forecast, about 25,265 MW of the required power capacity would come from baseload power plants, most of which are coal-fired facilities that operate continuously.
“This is universal across the globe, investing in energy efficiency is cheaper than the cheapest coal [power plant] on a per installed megawatt basis and, right now at parity, even cheaper than solar,” Mr. Ablaza said.
Earlier this month, the Bicameral Conference Committee convened to reconcile the disagreeing positions of Senate Bill 1531 and House Bill 8629. They then approved the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.
“PE2 positions civil society and private sector as partner of government for the long haul,” Mr. Ablaza said about his group’s role.
PE2 is non-stock, nonprofit organization of energy efficiency market stakeholders.
“We work with government to make sure that we do not repeat the mistakes of the last 28 years… (and) mainstream energy efficiency now as a resource in our energy mix,” he said.
Mr. Ablaza said that he hopes that when the Water Philippines conference takes place on March 20-22, the law will have passed.
The business-to-business conference will present the best water technologies and solutions for water supply, sanitation, industrial wastewater and purification. It includes renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors to bring together more than 500 exhibiting companies.
The event will showcase nine international and regional pavilions from China, European Union, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands and the United States. — Victor V. Saulon
