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Energy Cooperation ,
Oil & Gas

PH inks oil exploration deal with Israeli firm

19 October 2018

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Philippines

MANILA — Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi witnessed on Wednesday the ceremonial signing of the Petroleum Service Contract (PSC) for Area 4 (East Palawan Basin) of the Fifth Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR5) at the Presidents’ Hall of Malacanan Palace.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed the PSC on behalf of the Philippine government with Sec. Cusi as witness, while Mr. Itay Raphael Tabibzada, company President and CEO, signed for the Israeli firm, Ratio Petroleum Ltd.

Cusi said the event bodes well for Philippine-Israel economic relations, as well as the country’s upstream petroleum industry.

“The President has been very clear – our country needs to attain energy security and sustainability at the soonest possible time. We are currently experiencing how our dependence on importation has left us at the mercy of price movements in the global oil markets. We need to boost the exploration and development of our own energy resources and the awarding of the petroleum service contract to Ratio Petroleum is a step in the right direction,” he said.

The awarded PSC is part of PECR5, which was launched in May 2014. The PECR was established as a transparent and competitive system of awarding service or operating contracts for prospective petroleum or coal areas within the country.

Ratio Petroleum will now be able to explore Area 4, covering 416,000 hectares across the East Palawan Basin for potential oil and gas resources. Projected minimum total expenditure is valued at USD34.35 million to be derived from studies, data gathering and drilling activities over the initial seven-year contract duration.

Established in 1992, Ratio Petroleum has a number of large-scale operations at the Levant Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Israel, as well as off-shore operations in the Republic of Malta and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

“This is the first petroleum service contract signed under the Duterte administration. In fact, the last service contract awarded was with PXP Energy Corporation. This was almost five years ago in 2013,” Cusi said. (PR)

Renewables

First national solar photovoltaic monitoring system by SEDA

19 October 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia today launched the first national solar photovoltaic monitoring system (PVMS).

This PVMS will generate leads to performance database which monitors selected grid-connected solar PV systems for performance and reliability.

The performance and reliability of the key components of the solar PV systems such as PV modules and inverters will be monitored.

The PVMS also acts as an information platform for solar PV in the country, with the monitoring system available for subscription.

The launch of the PVMS was officiated by Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, Yeo Bee Yin, at the opening of the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition (IGEM) 2018.

“Currently, we already have 120 grid-connected solar PV systems (up to 1MV in capacity) throughout Malaysia that are being monitored on a real-time basis.

“We target to have up to 150 grid-connected PV areas by the year-end, hence providing a huge data base.”

The database will become the reference for designing national energy policies and programmes in the future.

Also present at the launch was SEDA Malaysia acting chief executive, Dr Wei Nee Chen.

The PVMS is funded by the Malaysian Electricity Supply Industries Trust Account (MESITA) under the Ministry. The authority has been actively developing the platform ever since the idea was mooted in 2015.

At today’s event, SEDA also launched the country’s first-of-its kind All Risks Solar PV Insurance as an initiative to ensure the investors’ assets are well protected.

The innovative insurance product is by Allianz Malaysia Bhd via Anora Agency Sdn Bhd in collaboration with the Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association.

“We are aware that the industry players face various risks as anything can happen to the solar panels.

“Therefore, we welcome more insurance companies to offer their services as at least we will have more choices,” said Yeo.

The Solar PV Insurance addresses the post-installation gaps which are typically lacking in the market.

Energy Cooperation

SEDA Malaysia signs three MoUs

19 October 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia signed a total of three memorandums of understanding (MoU) involving the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japanese Business Alliance for Smart Energy Worldwide (JASE-W) and APX Inc today.

Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said under the the MoU with ADB, the bank will provide three energy experts to thoroughly study the Renewable Energy Transition Roadmap (RETR) 2035 action plan.

“Besides this, the MoU between SEDA and JASE-W will give both parties the opportunity to exchange knowledge on energy conservation and efficiency, especially in the development of Zero Energy Building in Malaysia,” she told reporters after witnessing the MoU signing ceremony, here, today.

The MoU with APX Inc will recognise SEDA as the Qualified Reporting Entity (QRE) for the registration of Tradable Instrument for Global Renewables Registry (TIGRs) which provides a platform for the trading of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC).

“We believe the certificate is very important, especially for international markets, and multinational companies here,” added Yeo.

In the meantime, Yeo also announced the revocation of non-performing Feed-in Tariff (FiT) projects of 155MW, and the release of new quotas of 114MW involving 74MW of small hydro category, 30MW of biogas and 10MW of biomass for eligible applicants.

“SEDA will also conduct e-bidding for the biogas quota to create a better pricing efficiency for electricity,” she said.

Yeo added that the e-bidding will take place on Nov 19, and those interested can submit their application through the e-FiT online system (http://efit.seda.gov.my). — Bernama

Energy Efficiency

Govt to introduce building energy intensity labelling this Saturday

19 October 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will be introducing building energy intensity (BEI) labelling for buildings as part of its efforts to promote voluntary adoption of energy efficiency in the building sector. It is likely to start with government buildings for starters.

The initiative will be launched at the energy efficiency town hall session to be held on Saturday.

Energy, Science, Technology and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said during her speech at the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) that the initiative will entail the rating of buildings with between 1-5 stars for energy efficiency.

“This is the first step where we want government buildings to be labelled between 1-5stars for energy efficiency,” she added.

In addition, Yeo said the government will also be aggressively stepping up the adoption of energy performance contracting (EPC) for government buildings next year. The initiative was initiated in 2013.

“There are about 5,000 government buildings in Malaysia. Just imagine how much money we can save by retro-fitting (these) buildings by making the building electricity efficient,” she noted.

Malaysia’s energy consumption in buildings comprised 14% of total energy consumption and 52.4% of electricity consumption in 2016.

Internationally, the building sector is regarded as one of the most cost-effective sectors to reduce energy consumption.

Oil & Gas

Gas Malaysia-Tokyo Gas JV commissions gas engine plant

19 October 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): Gas Malaysia Bhd announced today the successful commissioning of its second gas engine co-generation plant operated with its joint venture partner Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions Corp.

The joint venture company, Gas Malaysia Energy Advance Sdn Bhd (GMEA), is owned 66% by Gas Malaysia and 34% by Tokyo Gas.

In a stock exchange filing, Gas Malaysia said the plant has officially started supplying electricity and hot water to a manufacturing plant belonging to air conditioner company Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

“Currently, Panasonic and Tokyo Gas have commenced their operation of power generator and air conditioning system in combination with energy service by gas co-generation and non-Freon air conditioner, at Panasonic’s manufacturing plant in Malaysia.

“GMEA installed two megaWatt co-generation, fuelled by natural gas, on the manufacturing plant of Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning. GMEA will also provide comprehensive services for each phase of the project, from system design, construction, procurement of fuel to facility, maintenance, and to electricity and hot water supply,” said Gas Malaysia.

GMEA was set up to generate and sell electricity and steam through the combined heat and power (CHP) system to the industrial sector.

The system is a simultaneous production of electricity and usable thermal energy from one single fuel source, which is said to be more efficient unlike the conventional electricity generation that wastes vast amounts of heat.

GMEA had in January 2017 successfully completed and commissioned its first CHP plant for a manufacturing company in Prai, Penang.

Gas Malaysia said that with the system, Panasonic’s plant could reduce energy inputs by about 3% and carbon dioxide emissions by some 11%.

“The system is expected to continue contributing to highly-efficient and environmentally-friendly energy supply with natural gas as a clean energy source. The commencement of operation of the project is expected to contribute positively to earnings of the group,” it added.

Shares of Gas Malaysia were unchanged at RM2.83 at market close today. The gas and energy solutions provider has a market capitalisation of RM3.63 billion.

Bioenergy

Malaysia’s biodiesel output, exports set to hit records

19 October 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian biodiesel production is likely to hit record levels this year and next, with 2018 exports on track to double from 2017, pushed up as higher oil prices boost the appeal of biofuels, the head of an industry association said on Wednesday.

The Southeast Asian nation is the world’s No.2 producer of palm oil, which can be used as feedstock to make the bio components of biodiesel.

“I believe Malaysian (biodiesel) production might hit 900,000 tonnes and exports 475,000 tonnes if the current price differential between crude palm oil and gasoil remains,” U.R.
Unnithan (pic), president of the Malaysian Biodiesel Association, told Reuters by text message.

“These would be record high (output and export) levels for Malaysia,” he said.

Malaysia churned out 720,410 tonnes of biodiesel in 2017 and exported 235,291 tonnes, according to local data.

The country said in July that it would raise its so-called biodiesel mandate next year to 10 percent from the current 7 percent. The mandate refers to the percentage of bio-content that must be contained in biodiesel.

If the government goes through with that plan and crude prices hold, Malaysia could produce up to 1.2 million tonnes of biodiesel in 2019, said Unnithan.

Diesel’s premium over palm oil has widened in recent months amid stronger crude prices and weaker palm markets. Its spread over palm hit $219 per tonne in early October, its widest in four years, and was around $178 on Wednesday.

Unnithan’s latest outlook marks an upward revision to estimates he made in April, when he said Malaysian biodiesel production could decline to 500,000 tonnes in the face of competitive shipments from Indonesia. Diesel’s spread over palm was about $20 a tonne at that time. – Reuters

Bioenergy

Malaysia keeps Nov crude palm oil export tax at zero pct

19 October 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 17): Malaysia maintained its export tax on crude palm oil for November at zero percent, according to a circular on the Malaysian Palm Oil Board’s website on Wednesday, citing the national customs department.

The export tax was at zero percent in October.

Malaysia is the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil.

The Southeast Asian nation calculated a palm oil reference price of 2,073.97 ringgit (US$499.51) per tonne for November. Any price above 2,250 ringgit incurs a tax.

Malaysian benchmark palm oil futures were last up 0.3% at 2,250 ringgit a tonne in early trade on Wednesday.

(US$1 = 4.1520 ringgit)

Renewables

European Green Energy SMEs Eyeing Market Opportunities in Southeast Asia

19 October 2018

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ASEAN

About 40 European companies from 15 different European Union (EU) Member States will embark on a week-long Green Energy Technologies business mission to Indonesia and Singapore.

Singapore, Singapore, October 17, 2018 –(PR.com)– On 28 October, about 40 European companies from 15 different European Union (EU) Member States will embark on a week-long Green Energy Technologies business mission to Indonesia and Singapore. This mission will showcase innovative technologies in the areas of biomass, biogas, carbon capturing, energy conservation and energy efficient solutions, smart grid, smart building solar, hydropower, wind power, waste-to-energy, and other green solutions.

South East Asia is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. ASEAN’s economy is currently ranked the seventh largest in the world, with a combined GDP of US$2.4 trillion and is projected to rank as the fourth largest economy by 2050.This impressive growth creates regional energy and environmental sustainability challenges.

As such, the energy consumption in South East Asia is expected to double by 2040. The diversification of the regional energy supply through investments in renewable energies offers a viable option to support this expansion and also helps to achieve wider socio-economic and sustainable environmental benefits.

All ASEAN countries have taken steps to tap into this immense opportunity. The adoption of national and regional renewable energy targets, combined with active efforts to reduce carbon emissions under the 2015 Paris Agreement, signal the region’s firm commitment to transforming the energy sector. To reach the aspirational target of 23% renewables in the region’s primary energy mix by 2025, South East Asian countries will have to substantially scale-up their deployment of renewables in the power sector, as well as in heating, cooling and transport.

Europe has many success stories to share. Ms. Barbara Plinkert, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Singapore, said: “In Europe, the quantity of renewable energy production increased by 66.6% between 2006 and 2016, thanks to the innovative technologies that European companies have developed. I am sure that the South East Asia region can also benefit from some of these technologies to help the region transform its energy mix to meet its energy demands.”

The European Union is tightening its emissions-trading scheme through raising the price of carbon. Large producers of carbon dioxide are being incentivized to move away from fossil fuels. At the same time, the cost of energy storage is coming down, allowing countries to add more intermittent solar and wind power to their energy mix.

The EU Business Avenues in South East Asia programme aims to facilitate collaborations between European solution providers and South East Asian energy players through a series of coaching and business matching services.

The Green Energy Technologies business mission is the 11th mission, under the EU Business Avenues in South East Asia programme. The contingent of 37 companies will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia for two days of site visit and business meetings before traveling to Singapore to participate in the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), co-locating with Asia Clean Energy Summit.

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