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  • Bioenergy

Itochu to create ‘pineapple’ energy in the Philippines

12 January 2019

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  • Philippines

Trading house Itochu Corp. will start a business that generates electricity from the unused parts of pineapples in the Philippines.

Itochu group company Dole Philippines Inc., which produces pineapples and bananas in the Southeast Asian country for export to North America and Japan, has tied up with a local venture company for the project.

While bananas are shipped as they are, around 700,000 tons of pineapples a year are shipped whole or processed into canned food and soft drinks.

The venture company will receive the pineapple remnants–cores, skins and crowns–and place them in a large tank for fermentation at a dedicated facility. The residue will create flammable biogas, which can be used to generate electricity.

The remnants had been used in fertilizer for pineapple and banana trees. Now, they will produce energy for use at the group company’s pineapple factory.

Dole Philippines has concluded a 16-year energy sales and purchase contract with the venture company, which will start operating the biogas generation facility in 2020.

With higher electricity fees raising the costs to produce canned pineapples and soft drinks, Dole Philippines aims to reduce electricity expenses and the burden on the environment by having renewable energy cover 20 percent of its electricity consumption.

“By transforming the remnants into fuel, it will be possible to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 100,000 tons a year,” an Itochu official said.

  • Oil & Gas

Petrolimex urged to enhance petrol quality and competitiveness

12 January 2019

 – 

  • Vietnam

NDO – The Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) must play a key role in supplying petroleum for socio-economic development, while enhancing the petrol quality and improving its competitiveness, said Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung.

The Government official made the request at the Petrolimex conference held in Hanoi on January 12 to review its operations in 2018 and set out plans for 2019.

The Deputy PM noted that the group must ensure reasonable petrol prices in order to create a driving force for sustainable development, while ensuring the quality of petrol products and meeting the requirements of environmental protection and gas emission reduction.

Petrolimex should closely coordinate with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group in consuming petrol products produced by the Nghi Son and Dung Quat Refineries to ensure overall benefits, the Deputy PM added.

According to Petrolimex’s report, 2018 was the fourth consecutive year that Petrolimex fulfilled all set targets. The group sold nearly 13 million m3 of oil and petrol products with a total revenue of VND190 trillion (US$8.17 billion).

The group also reported positive business results in the areas of transport, petrochemical, insurance, banking, and others.

Deputy PM Dung noted that people still doubt the quality of E5 bio-fuel, thus the group needs to deploy more effective solutions to inform people of the quality and environmental impacts of the bio-fuel.

The Government official also asked Petrolimex to renew its working style and improve the service quality of its retail petrol stations amid the increasing competition from domestic and foreign petrol retailers.

  • Renewables

Quang Ninh installs solar panels for island residents

12 January 2019

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  • Vietnam

Quang Ninh (VNA) – The Quang Ninh Electricity Company is carrying out the installation of solar panels for 15 households residing on Tran island, Thanh Lan commune, Co To Island district, the northern province of Quang Ninh.

These solar panels with capacity of 1kWp will enable these households to have sufficient power for their daily activities, while they are waiting for being connected with the national power grid.

Solar panels will also be installed for 178 households in Mong Cai, Hai Ha, Tien Yen, Ba Che, Binh Lieu, and Hoanh Bo, given they live in remote areas, far away from the national power grid, according to the provincial People’s Committee.

Experts said solar panels bring the highest efficiency in terms of investment and environmental protection.

The installation, which has a total investment of 55 billion VND sourced from Quang Ninh’s budget, is expected to complete before January 28, 2019.

Solar power is attracting great attention from the Government and businesses as the development of solar energy, one of the renewable energy sources, is a new orientation in Vietnam.

In April 2017, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued a decision on mechanisms for encouraging solar power development.-VNA

  • Electricity/Power Grid

IPP bidding for 8,300MW in 2019 pipeline

11 January 2019

 – 

  • Thailand

A co-generation gas-fired IPP project, operated by Egat, is located in Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi province.

The Energy Ministry plans to open bidding for independent power producers (IPPs) for a combined capacity of 8,300 megawatts (MW) this year.

This will be the fourth round after IPP rounds for a combined capacity of 14,948MW that occurred in 1994, 2008 and 2013.

Permanent energy secretary Kulit Sombatsiri said new IPPs will be developed at large sites that will be fuelled by gas, coal and diesel.

“All details for interested companies will be disclosed sometime this year,” he said.

Mr Kulit said the new version of the national power development plan (PDP) 2019 aims for a power-generating capacity of 8,300MW for commercial operation dates in 2025-30.

The new PDP is expected to be approved by the National Energy Policy Council on Jan 17.

“Once the 8,300MW plan is approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission [ERC], the ministry will set the details for bidding including time frame, capacity, location and type of fuel,” said Mr Kulit.

The first IPP will be in Ratchaburi province, where Tri Energy Co’s gas-fired power plant with 700MW capacity is located.

The plant is scheduled to retire in 2023, so the ERC will consider either repowering the existing plant or open bidding for new interested operators.

Mr Kulit said the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) still has a quota for power plant development, so it will not compete with private companies.

But Egat will continue to be the base power generator for the country, operating without a stoppage.

He said energy policymakers plan to prepare for power trading between private companies, focused only on renewable power, also known as peer-to-peer power trade, in 2019.

Policymakers will set regulations to facilitate the approach of this trend because they project the power-generating cost for renewable energy can compete with fossil-based fuels, said Mr Kulit.

“We are studying how to facilitate this trend for owners of renewable power projects, such as wheeling charges and power rates for a third-party transmission line,” he said.

“We are open to opinions and comments from private companies as they have renewable power projects that could trade in communities.”

Two SET-listed firms — BCPG Plc and Global Power Synergy Plc (GPSC) — are testing their pilot projects for power trading, but results have yet to be disclosed.

GPSC is testing power trading at Navanakorn Industrial Zone in Pathum Thani province, while BCPG is testing at Sansiri’s mixed-use property project on Sukhumvit Soi 77.

Mr Kulit said policymakers are planning to provide licences to private companies to develop solar rooftops, with a combined capacity of 100MW.

These projects can be connected with the national power grid to sell surplus power to state utilities, he said.

  • Oil & Gas

Jadestone Energy Inc. Announces Montara Production Restart

11 January 2019

 – 

  • Singapore

SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2019 / Jadestone Energy Inc. (AIM:JSE, TSXV:JSE) (“Jadestone” or the “Company”), an independent oil and gas production company focused on the Asia Pacific region, announces the restart of production from the Montara oil field, following its maintenance and inspection shutdown.

Production operations restarted at the Montara facilities on January 11, 2019, and production volumes will be ramped up while final checks are concluded. The entire facility will be restarted, including both the oil production system and the gas system, which enables gas-lift and gas re-injection so as to optimise production operations as rapidly as possible. The conclusion of this maintenance and inspection activity will result in improved facility reliability and uptime going forwards, resulting in no major planned shutdowns until at least H2 2020.

PTTEP Australasia (Ashmore Cartier) Pty Ltd (“PTTEP”), as seller of the Montara assets, has agreed to provide US$22 million to Jadestone in relation to this recent shutdown of the Montara facilities, including associated costs, of which approximately US$4 million was directly attributable to shutdown work scope.

Jadestone and PTTEP are continuing to manage the asset under the terms of the operator and transitional services agreement whereby PTTEP, as the duty holder under the currently in-force safety case, continues to operate the Montara assets, with all critical operations leadership positions now filled with Jadestone personnel who have been formally seconded into the PTTEP organisation. In the meantime, the regulator is reviewing Jadestone’s recently submitted Montara safety case and environment plan. Upon approval, the regulator will permit the transfer of operatorship to Jadestone.

Paul Blakeley, President and CEO commented:

“I’m delighted to see production operations safely resume at the Montara asset and pleased that the work we have completed alleviates the need for any further major planned outages until at least late 2020.

Catching up on Montara’s overdue inspection and maintenance tasks and resolving the regulatory non-compliance notices was a prudent step early in Jadestone’s experience with Montara, and serves to enhance the asset’s value.”

  • Oil & Gas

Local fuel prices likely to rise again

11 January 2019

 – 

  • Myanmar

After a drop in prices of K150 a litre, fuel prices are likely to rise again within a few days according to retailers.

Since December 20, local prices for fuel have been falling in line with a drop in the prices of crude oil on the international market.

“But the oil prices started rising again starting from January 3, so prices in Myanmar may rise too,” said U Sai Wun Hlaing, manager of the Yadana Kaung Kin filling station.

“Current prices reflect the international market. With global oil prices rising again last week, fuel prices in the local market have to follow, although I think the increase will not be significant,” he said.

The price of crude oil was US$49.77 a barrel on December 18, and it dropped to US$ 42.73 on December 26. The price bounced back on December 27 US$ 47.23 a barrel on January 3.

It reached a high of US$ 52.30 yesterday.

Retail prices of fuel in Yangon on December 3, stood at K855 for Ron 92 petrol, K925 for Ron 95 petrol, K1010 for diesel and K1,025 for premium diesel per litre.

Prices dropped on January 9, to K700 for Ron 92petrol, K790 for Ron95 petrol, K890 for diesel and K900 for premium diesel per litre, according to a statement from The Myanmar Petroleum Trade Association (MPTA).

“I was thinking of travelling for a holiday as fuel prices have dropped. It is not good if prices increase again. If prices increase significantly, it would cost a lot if I travel a long distance. I want prices to stabilise,” said U Zin Myo, a 30-year-old engineer.

Fuel retailers said fuel prices in Myanmar had fallen due to a strengthening of the kyat even as oil prices were low, adding that if the kyat continues strengthening it would offset the higher prices of crude.

They said if exchange rate keeps falling, fuel prices will not increase much and the situation will be fine.

Kyat-dollar exchange rate per dollar on January 9 was K1,535 in outside market and K1,534 fixed by Central Bank of Myanmar.

  • Energy Cooperation , 
  • Energy Economy

Indonesia slightly lowers target for investment in electricity

11 January 2019

 – 

  • Indonesia

The government is lowering its investment target for the electricity sector this year to US$12.04 billion, 1.3 percent less than last year’s target of $12.2 billion, after taking into account a recent slowdown in electricity consumption.

Only $11.28 billion was invested in 2018, but that was 24.5 percent more than the $9.06 billion invested in 2017.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s electricity program supervision director, Jisman P. Hutajulu, said on Thursday that most of the investment would be used for the construction of power plants.

“We aim to have an additional electricity generation capacity of 3,976 megawatts [MW] by the end of 2019,” he said recently, adding that the company also needed to invest in the construction of transmission facilities and substations.

The ministry aims to have a total installed electricity generation capacity of 66,500 MW by the end of 2019, up from the current 62,500 MW.

The ministry also expects people’s electricity consumption to increase by 12.7 percent to 1,200 kWh per capita by the end of 2019. It plans to electrify all villages across the country by setting the target of 99.38 percent electrification.

This year, the government also wants to lower the contribution of fossil fuels to power grid to only 4.03 percent or 0.97 basis points lower than in 2018. (bbn)

  • Oil & Gas , 
  • Others

Phoenix-CNOOC JV to build Philippines’ first LNG termina

11 January 2019

 – 

  • Philippines

The Philippines’ energy ministry has approved the bid from local fuel retailer Phoenix Petroleum and China’s CNOOC to build the country’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal.

The $2 billion regasification and imports terminal will be built south of the capital of Manila, featuring a capacity to handle 2.2 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG. The plant is expected to start operations in 2023, Phoenix said Friday, in a regulatory filing.

The project will be developed and operated by a joint venture formed by Phoenix’s Tanglawan Philippine LNG and CNOOC Gas and Power Group. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the facility last June, Kallanish Energy notes.

The government’s approvals are crucial for the replacement of the declining indigenous gas production, estimated to run out as early as 2024.

Phoenix said long-term, the project will also feature a natural gas power plant with capacity to generate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

“The (LNG) terminal is only Stage 1 of our plans for the facility. We will develop it to become an LNG hub, giving Filipinos access to low-cost and environmental-friendly energy supply,” said Phoenix’s chief operating officer, Henry Fadullon.

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