News Clipping Archive - Page 1201 of 1226

Energy Cooperation ,
Renewables

Sembcorp wins 6.2-MW rooftop project in Singapore

12 November 2018

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Singapore

November 2 (Renewables Now) – Sembcorp Industries Ltd (SGX:U96) has signed a 25-year contract to install, own and operate a 6.2-MWp rooftop solar project in Singapore.

The solar panels will be deployed at two facilities of “one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry,” the Singapore-based utilities, marine and urban development group said today. One of them will host Singapore’s largest solar installation on a single roof with a capacity of over 4.7 MWp.

The solar arrays will provide power for the customer’s on-site needs, with excess electricity to be supplied to the grid.

Including this project, Sembcorp has more than 115 MWp of solar power assets in operation and under development in Singapore, supporting the country’s goal of reaching 350 MWp of solar power capacity by 2020, said Sembcorp Group president and chief executive Neil McGregor.

Separately, Sembcorp announced this week that it will partner with Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) to pilot the use of energy storage systems. It said it is currently the first and only power player to take part in the pilot programme, called ACCESS (ACCelerating Energy Storage for Singapore), which was unveiled at Singapore International Energy Week 2018 on Tuesday.

“As an integrated energy player at the forefront of green solutions, we see the inclusion of energy storage systems as a good complement to our growing renewable energy portfolio,” commented McGregor.

Electricity/Power Grid

Budget 2019: Household electricity bill subsidy increased

12 November 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 ― The government will increase household electricity bill subsidy from RM20 and below to RM40 and below, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

However, he said in line with the government’s intention to implement targeted subsidies, the channeling of the subsidy would be dedicated to the poor and hardcore poor registered with the e-Kasih programme.

“It will benefit 185,000 accounts. An allocation of RM80 million is being set aside for this purpose,” he said when tabling Budget 2019 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Lim said the government would also provide RON95 petrol subsidy of 30 sen per litre to those who own a car with engine capacity of 1,500cc and below, as well as a motorcycle with engine capacity of 125cc and below.

He said the subsidy, however, was limited to 100 litres per month for car and 40 litres for motorcycle.

Lim said the new mechanism was expected to take effect from the second quarter of next year with an allocation of RM2 billion.

He said the subsidy mechanism was expected to benefit four million car owners and 2.6 million motorcycle owners.

To enhance the efficiency of resource utilisation as well as to curb leakage due to differences in petrol prices and cross-border smuggling, Lim said the government would refloat the price of RON95 petrol in the market based on the automatic price mechanism (APM). ― Bernama

Oil & Gas

Philippines mulls lifting West Philippine Sea oil exploration ban

12 November 2018

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Philippines

In this Oct. 20, 2016 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte is accompanied by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his arrival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. The two leaders are expected to finalize an agreement on the possible joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea as Xi visits Manila later this month.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is considering to lift the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea to be able to move forward with an agreement with China.

Manila is hoping to finalize the terms of an agreement with Beijing on the possible joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea as Chinese President Xi Jinping visits the country this month.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the terms for the joint exploration with Beijing and the proposed lifting of the oil exploration ban in the disputed waters would be discussed during the Chinese leader’s visit to the country.

“Those two are still being discussed and hopefully that will be resolved during the visit of President Xi Jinping. I would not wish to pre-empt things, but we are hopeful that we will come up with the terms of operations,” Cusi said in an interview in Singapore earlier this week.

In 2012, Aquino administration issued the moratorium on all exploration and drilling works in the West Philippine Sea amid rising tension with China.

“We have been talking with China to resolve that issue. That is a high priority area for us because we know that there are a lot of reserves that we can explore and exploit,” Cusi said.

The moratorium has thwarted a possible joint venture between Chinese state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp. and PXP Energy Corp., which holds a 78.98-percent operating interest in Service Contract 72 or contract to explore Recto Bank.

PXP Energy Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, on the other hand, said he did not think the moratorium on sea exploration would be lifted in time for Xi’s visit, Bloomberg reported.

Pangilinan added that talks with the Chinese oil company could not restart until the two countries reach a bilateral agreement.

PXP Energy earlier expressed hope that the government would lift the moratorium to allow the company to resume exploration works.

“The company remains hopeful that the force majeure imposed on SC 72 and SC 75 will be lifted by the Department of Energy soon for the company to be able to resume exploration works in these SCs,” PXP Energy said in July.

Toyota brings forward Thai hybrid battery production

12 November 2018

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Thailand

Toyota plans to bring forward its investment in its Thai hybrid vehicle battery plant by a year citing potential shortages of batteries in Japan, according to local reports.

The Japanese automaker was awarded tax incentives for its THB19bn (US$575m) investment in hybrid vehicle production and related parts including doors assemblies, bumpers and axles, in Chachoengsao – east of Bangkok.

Toyota had originally planned to produce 7,000 battery packs per year for these vehicles from mid-2020, but has decided to bring these plans forward by one year to mid-2019 to help alleviate potential supply bottlenecks. It is expected to initially produce nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries which are seen as more suitable for tropical climates.

Toyota currently produces two plug-in hybrids in Thailand, the C-HR sport utility vehicle and the Camry sedan, both fitted with NiMH batteries imported from Japan.

Global demand for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles is set to rise sharply over the next several years and battery supply is getting tight is key production locations such as China and Japan.

Toyota produces NiMH batteries at three plants in Japan, in Omori, Sakaijuku and Miyagi prefectures, through its Primearth EV Energy joint venture with Panasonic in which it has an 80.5% stake. These plants have a combined production capacity of 1.4m battery packs per year, which are fitted to Toyota’s hybrid vehicles globally.

Toyota’s wholly-owned Thai battery plant will eventually be scaled up to meet global productivity standards, with lithium-ion batteries expected to be added to the line-up later on.

Electricity/Power Grid

Rosita restoration efforts in full swing – Cusi

12 November 2018

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Philippines

CAUAYAN, Isabela, Nov. 1 — The Department of Energy (DOE) presented the initial damage assessment on the effects of Tropical Storm (TS) Rosita at the briefing conducted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) – Region 2 at the Hotel Andrea in Cauayan City, Isabela on November 1.

In a statement, Energy Chief Alfonso G. Cusi reassured the public that the restoration efforts will again be in full swing despite having completely restored energy services in areas affected by Typhoon Ompong just last 26 October .

“The energy family is utilizing all available resources to help those affected by Typhoon Rosita so that electricity will be restored at the soonest possible time. This will support the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts being conducted by the government,” Sec. Cusi said.

Typhoon Rosita affected 15 distribution utilities, mostly electric cooperatives, serving more than 200 municipalities / cities, more than 4,000 barangays, and around 1.5 million households in Regions I, II, III, and CAR.

As far as the power generation sector is concerned, the National Power Corporation (NPC) reported the following statuses of the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) in the affected areas:

1. Cagayan-Calayan (no communication since last report of normal operation on October 29);

2. Balatubat – Minabel (no communication since last report of normal operation on October 30);

3. Isabela Maconacon (as of October 31, restored operations in the area of Maconacon only);

4. Divilacan-Palanan Plant (ready for operation; on October 29, forced shutdown due to TS Rosita);

5. Aurora-Casiguran (on October 31 restored operations in Casiguran area only);

6. Apayao-Kabugao (on October 31, restored operations with distribution lines partially restored); and

In Batanes serving Basco, Itbayat and Sabtang reported normal operations.

Meanwhile, the operators of the power generation plants connected to the grid reported that all the plants have been secured and was not damaged by Typhoon Rosita.

For the transmission sector, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) counted a total of 51 Transmission Lines affected in North Luzon. The areas affected by power interruption are:

1. The Provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and La Union (North Luzon District 1);

2. Benguet and Mountain Province (North Luzon District 2);

3. Pangasinan (North Luzon District 3);

4. Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Quirino, Isablea, Cagayan, and Kalinga Apayao (North Luzon District 4);

5. Bataan and Zambales (North Luzon District 5); and

6. Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora (North Luzon District 6).

NGCP was able to restore all the affected Transmission Lines by today, November 1, 2018. NGCP accomplished this by deploying 100 technical and support personnel, 10 trucks and 1 helicopter.

For the distribution sector, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) submitted the update on the re-energization efforts of the following Electric Cooperatives (ECs):

1. Pangasinan I Electric Cooperative(PANELCO I) reported that one city and six municipalities within its distribution area are partially restored. PANELCO I is working to restore electricity in Alaminos City, the Municipalities of Agno, Anda, Bani, Bulinao, Burgos, and Mabini.

2. Restoration efforts are ongoing within the distribution area of Cagayan Electric Cooperative I (CAGELCO I) in the Municipalities of Amulung and Bagga, with 8,551 households that were affected by TS Rosita.

3. The Cagayan II Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO II) has an initial projected restoration date of November 2, 2018 within the Municipalities of Abulug, Allacapan, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Lasam, Flora, and Pudtol.

4. The Nueva Viscaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO) reported that its 11 municipalities were largely affected by TS Rosita. Restoration is currently undergoing within the Municipalities of: Bayombong, Solano, Bambang, Quezon, Villaverde, Bagbag, Diadi, Ambaguio, Alfonso Castaneda, Aksibu, and Kayapa which were partially restored.

5. The Quirino Electric Cooperative (QUIRELCO) submitted an initial assessment for damage of P2,039,910, affecting all 7 municipalties within its distribution area. The Municipalities of Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunan, Saguday, and San Agustin are currently undergoing power restoration services.

6. The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) reported that the distribution areas of Baguio City and the Municipality of Tuba were affected. The projected date for full restoration is 6 November.

7. Mountain Province Electric Cooperative (MOPRECO) stated that all the municipalities within its distribution area were greatly affected. The power in the Municipalities of Sadanga, Sabanga, Sagada, Bontoc, Bauko, Tadian, Tinglayan, Mankayan, Barlig, and Besao were partially restored. The Municipality of Paracelis remains to be restored.

8. Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO) said a total of four municipalities were already partially restored. These are: Lagangilang, Lagayan, Tineg, and San Juan. Boliney is scheduled to undergo restoration.

9. The 10 municipalities and cities within the distribution area of the Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO) were affected. The Municipalities of Tabuk and Pinukpuk have been partially restored, while the areas of Quezon, Tinglayan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Tanduan, Tuao, Conner, and Babalan are still undergoing restoration. KAELCO came up with an initial damage assessment of PhP 859,071 within its service area.

10. The Ifugao Electric Cooperative (IFELCO) initially reported that all 11 municipalities within its distribution area were affected by TS Rosita. All substations and feeders were checked and evaluated of any damage.

11. Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO) projected full restoration within its service area by 2 November. The affected areas were Casiguran (partially restored), Dinalugan, Dilasag, and Dinapigue.

12. Isabela I Electric Cooperative (ISELCO I) reported that Santiago City, Cauayan City and the Municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Cabatuan, and Alicia are partially energized. The Municipalities of Reina Mercedes, Luna, Echague, San Isidro, Jones, San Agustin, Angadanan, San Guillermo, and Cordon are for power restoration, which is targeted today, 1 November. Around 20% of the total coverage area of ISELCO I is currently energized with 325 poles damaged in its initial assessment.

The targeted restoration within the ISELCO I distribution area is on 15 November. Restoration is being undertaken with the assistance of the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment (PPRD) Task Force through the quick response of the NEA, the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (PHILRECA) and the Philippine Federation of Electric Cooperatives (PHILFECO).

14. Isabela II Electric Cooperative (ISELCO II) reported that the 13 municipalities within its distribution area are partially energized with five municipalities for power restoration. The Municipalities of Burgos, Quirino, Mallig, and Quezon are targeted to be re-energized on 1 November, while restoration efforts in the Municipality of Sta. Maria are ongoing, but is hampered due to flooding within the area. Presently, a total of 36.17% of the coverage area of ISELCO II is energized and the projected total re-energization target is on 6 November 2018. ISELCO II also aims to provide support in the restoration of ISELCO 1 after 6 November.

15. DECORP, a privately owned distribution utility reported that it was able to fully restore all local government units within its franchise area. These are: Dagupan, Calasiao, San Fabian, Sta. Barbara, Manaoag, and San Jacinto.

The DOE reminds the public that a prize freeze on the prices of kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be in effect, 15 days from the declaration of a State of Calamity by our competent authorities. Under a price freeze, all price roll backs are implemented while price increases are not implemented.

The DOE field offices closely monitor the implementation of the price freeze, with the assistance and coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and the concerned local government units. (DOE)

Oil & Gas

UPDATE 1-Petronas supplies first LNG cargo to marine-fuel vessel ahead of IMO 2020

12 November 2018

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Malaysia

SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) – Malaysia’s state energy firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd on Thursday supplied its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to a newly built LNG marine fuel supply vessel ahead of a new mandate for ships to switch to cleaner fuels in 2020.

Petronas LNG, loaded the cargo onto the world’s largest LNG bunker vessel Kairos at the Regasification Terminal Pengerang (RGTP) located in the southern Malaysian state of Johor, Petroliam Nasional, known as Petronas, said in a statement.

“We believe that small-scale LNG opportunities will increase from the utilization of alternative cleaner fuel such as LNG,” Petronas LNG Chief Executive Officer Ezhar Yazid Jaafar said.

Shipowners are seeking cleaner fuels, including LNG, to meet new regulations imposed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in January 2020 that cap the sulphur content of ship fuel, also known as bunkers, at 0.5 percent.

The Kairos has a capacity of 7,500 cubic metres of LNG, and it stopped in Malaysia to refuel while making its way from South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan to Europe, Petronas said.

The Kairos is owned by Babcock Schulte Energy (BSE) and is on time-charter by Blue LNG, a joint venture company between Nauticor and Klaipedos Nafta. Construction of the ship began in 2016.

“Kairos is now on her positioning voyage to the Baltic, where she will deliver into time charter on arrival at Klaipeda, Lithuania,” said Angus Campbell, Bernhard Schulte’s corporate director of energy projects.

“This is a significant milestone for us,” said Campbell.

“For the wider market, Kairos represents an important addition to the global LNG fuelling infrastructure, building confidence in the availability of this cleaner fuel choice,” he said.

Kairos is capable of performing both ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations as well as break-bulk LNG transshipments, Campbell said.

Klaipeda is a port on the Baltic Sea that is part of so-called emission control area, a special coastal zone where bunker fuel emissions are limited to 0.1 percent sulphur.

Energy Efficiency

Yeo: Malaysia can save at least RM47bil over 15 years by being more energy efficient

12 November 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The nation stands to save a minimum of RM47bil over the next 15 years if becomes more energy efficient, says Minister of Energy, Green Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin (pic).

To work towards this, 50 government buildings will be retrofitted with energy efficient lightings and appliances by next year.

“Studies show the potential savings the nation can achieve in improving energy efficiency between 2016-2030 of a minimum of 137,775GWh (Gigawatt hours) will amount to RM46.92bil in savings,” she said during her ministerial reply on issues raised during debates on the mid-term review of the Malaysia Eleventh Malaysia Plan on Thursday (Nov 1).

Yeo said that between RM160mil and RM200mil were awarded through Energy Performance Contract (EPC) to retrofit the government buildings.

Under the contract, she said energy service companies will fund works to retrofit the government buildings with energy efficient chillers and LED lighting.

She added the amount of savings on electric bills would be shared between companies and the government.

To further boost energy efficiency, Yeo said that the government is in the process of drafting the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, which will be presented to lawmakers for their feedback next year.

“Besides this, we are also reviewing to improve the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2016-2025,” she added.

Yeo noted that the use of electricity in buildings represent 50% of total electricity use in Malaysia, which held vast potential for energy efficiency and cost saving.

Renewables

Brunei takes centre stage at ASEAN Energy Award

2 November 2018

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Brunei Darussalam

BRUNEI Darussalam won first place in the ‘Off-Grid’ category at the 36th ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting (AMEM) Gala Dinner’s ASEAN Energy Award 2018 in Singapore under the Renewable Energy (RE) project competition.

The project was titled ‘2kWp Off-grid Solar PV Systems in Labi, Ulu Belait, Brunei Darussalam’.

Project owner Philip Chin Khee Khiong of Pan-El Electrical & Engineering Sdn Bhd, installed the PV system at one of the dwellings in the remote area of Labi in 2013.

The house is owned by Tin Thien Siew, a visually impaired elderly who lives alone. The Solar PV system produced about 2,620kWh of electricity per year and can avoid about 3,668kg of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The accolade was presented by Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi during the gala dinner in Singapore.

Receiving the award was Haji Amrinal bin Haji Amir of Pan-El Electrical & Engineering Sdn Bhd.

Also present was Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein.

News Clipping

Toyota plans to bring forward its investment in its Thai hybrid vehicle battery plant by a year citing potential shortages of batteries in Japan, according to local reports.

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