News Clipping Archive - Page 1257 of 1320

Energy Cooperation ,
Energy Efficiency

EU, Philippines sign 7 contracts for clean energy projects

13 December 2018

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines on Thursday said the EU and the Philippines signed seven contracts for projects that would offer “clean energy” to 40,000 households in the country.

The EU said they allocated €21 million for the projects which would contribute to the Department of Energy’s goal of “100 percent electrification” in the country by 2020.

The project is part of the EU’s Access to Sustainable Energy Program (EU-ASEP) which seeks to provide electricity for 100,000 households in the country.

In a statement, EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said the ASEP, which will be implemented until 2021, will increase access to electricity by remote populations and “pursue new energy efficiency strategies.”

The seven projects, which will be launched in January 2019, include the following:

€5 million for Mahintana Foundation Inc. which will establish Solar Home Systems (SHS) in 5,000 households of North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.
€4.5 million for YAMOG which would offer sustainable energy to 5,000 households in Mindanao. Of the 5,000 households, 3,800 households will be provided Solar Home Systems while 1,200 will gain access to “pico-hydropower” energy.
€3.9 million for Kabang Kalikasan which would provide 24-hour energy access to 4 poor, remote island communities.
€4.2 million for United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) which would offer and increase renewable energy technology in Tawi-Tawi.
€3.7 million to provide renewable energy for remote areas and off-grid communities in North Samar.
€2.2 million grant for Renewable Energy for Livelihood and Youth to provide renewable energy in poor and remote communities in Region VII and Region IV-B.
€3.8 million for Clean Energy Living Laboratories which would be offered to Ateneo de Manila University to develop centers of excellence on “energy access, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

In total, the project will cost €28 million, with nearly€ 7 million coming from the contributions of applicants and their partners.

“In fact, it has been quite a hard competition in which not less than 73 applicants proposed innovative business solutions for the provision of clean energy in remote areas of the Philippines,”Jessen said in his speech.

“In the selection process, relevance, feasibility, and sustainability of the actions have been carefully assessed and 7 grants were awarded,” he added.

Others

Drop LRT idea for Sarawak, go for electric bus network, says DAP MP

13 December 2018

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Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: A Sarawak MP has panned the state government’s proposal to revive the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project to link Kuching with surrounding towns such as Kota Samarahan to combat traffic congestion.

The DAP MP for Bandar Kuching Dr Kelvin Yii said the proposed LRT project might not be the most cost-effective solution or the most economically feasible, urging instead for the bus service to be upgraded.

Speaking to FMT, Yii said the LRT’s reach to residential areas in Kuching and Kota Samarahan would be limited and that without a proper bus transport network in place, the LRT would not be as effective.

“I suggest that Sarawak upgrade the bus service and provide an extensive bus network instead. Through this, we can implement the use of electric buses for cleaner energy and better environmental protection.

“The LRT is a public transport that involves heavy capital and thus once built, it will have a long-term impact on the economic burden of Sarawak.”

Yesterday, Sarawak chief minister Abang Johari Openg said while the LRT project had been postponed by his government following opposition from “certain people”, “now that they want it again, we may consider it”.

Abang Johari said the LRT was one of the options to solve traffic congestion in heavily populated areas, listing as examples Kuching in the southwest of Sarawak and Kota Samarahan, 30 kilometers away.

“As we progress, transportation becomes a major contributor to air pollution in urban areas and cities.

“Therefore, to overcome air quality degradation, we have to think of options for mitigation such as LRT, hydrogen fuel buses, electric motor vehicles, and biofuel vehicles,” the chief minister was reported to have said.

Work on the LRT system, which will cover the state capital plus the Samarahan and Serian divisions, could start next year and be operational by 2024.

The 155 km stretch will consist of three major lines and will cost RM10.719 billion, Abang Johari said.

But Yii argued that the LRT project would be a “huge financial burden” on the state government.

“The cost may dry up our reserves as the construction of it is just the first step, but taking into consideration maintenance and land acquisition, the cost will go up.

“On top of that, it is permanent and once built, it is difficult to adapt its routes based on any new developments in the area in comparison to the implementation of an extensive bus network, the routes of which can be adapted based on new developments and even traffic pattern changes”.

The Pakatan Harapan backbencher added that with the LRT’s limited reach, it would not incentivise the public to change their commuting habits..

“Abang Johari might be jumping the gun to construct the LRT without first addressing the need for an extensive bus network which may also serve as a barometer or test for future construction of different modes of public transportation.

“Through these public buses, commuting habits of the public can first be changed before the implementation of any other bigger projects.

“Thus, to address the traffic congestion, maybe the implementation of an extensive network of electric buses may be more economically feasible,” he said.

Yii proposed that the roads from Kota Samarahan be upgraded and the roundabouts removed and replaced with flyovers to help alleviate traffic congestion in the area.

“The extra money (saved by not constructing the LRT) could be used to upgrade the roads and basic infrastructure that are lacking in other parts of Sarawak, especially the rural areas,” he explained.

Should the LRT project work out, travel time from Kota Samarahan to Kuching is expected to be cut by half from around 90 minutes during peak hours now.

The LRT system is expected to be funded by the newly created Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) and will be managed by the Sarawak Economic Development Council (SEDC).

Others ,
Renewables

PLUS launches country’s first solar EV charging station

13 December 2018

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Malaysia

MELAKA: PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS), today launched the country’s first solar electric vehicle (EV) charging station.

The highway operator plans to build five more such stations by early 2020.

It’s Managing Director Datuk Azman Ismail said the first station, located at the Ayer Keroh Overhead Bridge Restaurant (southbound) on the North-South Expressway here, began operation in May and could be used for free.

It was built at a cost of RM450,000 in collaboration with Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, through the Global Environment Facility.

PLUS and the other parties involved are also in discussion to set up five more solar EV charging stations at the rest and service areas under PLUS’s management, Azman said.

These stations – to be built in stages in Pagoh (southbound), Tapah (southbound), Dengkil (southbound), Gunung Semanggol (northbound) and Seremban (northbound) – would be fully completed by early 2020, he said.

“We also plan to build stations at other rest and service areas, but this depends on consumer response and the fund available, as the cost of building such a station is fairly high,” he told reporters after officiating the station launching ceremony here today.

GreenTech Malaysia’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Syed Ahmad Syed Mustafa was also present.

Azman said the initiative was in line with PLUS’ objectives of giving a more positive travel experience and promoting public awareness on green technology and innovation.

“The Ayer Keroh Overhead Bridge Restaurant (southbound) was selected as the first location for an EV charging station, as it is a main route for most users of EVs and plug-in hybrids.

“Besides, most of the existing EV charging stations are located in the Klang Valley, and this initiative will enable the EV and plug-in hybrid users to charge their vehicles while using other facilities in the (overhead bridge) area,” he added.

He noted that PLUS had implemented various green technology initiatives to help protect the environment, including through the usage of biodegradable products such as plastics, cups, food containers, spoons, forks and straws at several rest and service areas.

Meanwhile, Syed Ahmad said the construction of this first solar EV charging stations at the PLUS highway represented a milestone in promoting low-carbon mobility and the use of renewable energy to charge EVs.

EV users, he noted, required an hour to an hour and a half to fully charge their vehicles and it could last for about 490 kilometres. – Bernama

Oil & Gas

Singapore LNG seeks EOIs for storage tank

13 December 2018

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Singapore

As part of continuing efforts to develop Singapore as an LNG trading hub, SLNG will be able to construct another LNG storage tank at the SLNG Terminal on Jurong Island, Singapore.

SLNG has announced that it is keen to explore interest in the market to underpin this facility.

SLNG is thus seeking non-binding Expressions of Interest (EOI) from interested parties for the use of this new tank, in order to assess the market demand for such additional infrastructure.

The EOI should contain an indicative price offer (in US$) and a proposal for how the tank could be used, and SLNG’s preferred terms will form the key basis for considering any proposal.

However, SLNG is also open to considering alternative proposals and different structures, so long as they meet SLNG’s objectives.

Successful Bidders will be invited to participate in a full Request For Proposal to be issued by SLNG at a later date, subject to the prior approval of the Energy Market Authority of Singapore. Any submitted proposal will be shared with the Authority.

Energy Efficiency ,
Others

KKR powers up Singapore’s Barghest Building Performance with $33m investment

13 December 2018

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Singapore

KKR has invested S$45m ($33m) in Singapore-based energy savings business Barghest Building Performance, as the firm peruses its impact investment strategy.

BBP provides energy efficiency services for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in commercial and industrial buildings. The company has operations across Southeast Asia, China, India and Taiwan.

KKR launched its dedicated Global Impact business in 2018 to invest in businesses which offer commercial solutions toward the achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Our Global Impact team is focused on investing behind companies whose core commercial product or service addresses global environmental or social challenges,” said a statement from KKR Global Impact co-heads Robert Antablin and Ken Mehlman.

“BBP contributes solutions to two of the United Nations SDGs – Affordable and Clean Energy, and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – with a business model meant to fundamentally change best practices for energy management.

“BP’s motivation, as is ours, is to achieve meaningful and sustainable costs savings for customers directly alongside long-term and measurable environmental impacts for society”

KKR recently appointed former Macquarie exec David Luboff as head of Asia-Pacific infrastructure. The global private equity giant also agreed to invest up to S$500m ($367m) for a stake in Asian luxury lifestyle and wellness products business V3 Group.

Oil & Gas

Shell Singapore appoints new country chairwoman

13 December 2018

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Singapore

SINGAPORE, Dec 13 (Reuters) – Shell Singapore, a unit of Royal Dutch Shell, has appointed a new country chairwoman who will assume the position from January next year, the company said in a statement on its website.

Aw Kah Peng, who is currently general manager for Shell’s chemicals intermediates business in Asia Pacific, will succeed Goh Swee Chen, who will retire at the end of January, Shell said.

Goh has been chair of Shell Singapore since 2014.

Aw joined Shell in 2012 as general manager for global commercial strategy. Her previous stints include being chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board as well as work experience in the Economic Development Board, Shell added.

Energy Cooperation

Brunei, Bangladesh companies to explore green energy opportunities

13 December 2018

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Brunei Darussalam

| Achong Tanjong | A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) between Brunei Darussalam’s Dimension Strata Sdn Bhd and Bangladesh’s Green Power Ltd was held at the Bangladeshi High Commission in Brunei Darussalam in Jalan Sungai Akar, for joint collaboration in exploring investment and business opportunities yesterday. The ceremony was witnessed by the Bangladesh High Commissioner to…

Renewables

MRC pushes bid to become a key player in solar power

13 December 2018

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — MRC Allied Inc. is pursuing a solar rooftop project in Mindanao to meet its 100-MW target and become a key player in the country’s solar industry.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday, MRC said it executed a memorandum of agreement for the development and installation of a 1.1-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop system for a mall located in the Mindanao area.

“Under the MOA, MRC will be the project developer and owner of the solar facility, while a private entity, owning and operating the mall, will be the power off-taker,” the disclosure read.

The company will be pouring in P67.4 million to finance the project.

The cooperation between the two parties shall be for 20 years from the issuance of the acceptance certificate.

Meanwhile, the MOA will take effect once the power off-taker issues the acceptance certificate to MRC after successful completion of actual performance testing and interconnection.

MRC president and chief executive officer Augusto Cosio Jr. said the company is targeting around 100 MW of solar power projects within the next two years.

The company inked a MOA with local firm Edward Marcs Philippines Inc. (EMPI) to power up two rice milling plants in north Luzon using solar power.

Under the deal, EMPI will supply, deliver, construct and test a 550-kilowatt-peak (kwp) grid-tied solar PV rooftop project for two rice milling plants located in the Northern Luzon.

It is part of the solar PV project pipeline of at least four MW, which MRC hopes to complete in the next two years.

MRC is also eyeing to raise its stake in the 50-MW Sulu Electric Power and Light Philippines Inc. (Sepalco) solar project, in which it currently has a 15 percent stake.

Cosio said the company is in talks with other stakeholders and plans to increase its shareholdings to gain an additional 45 percent, or at least majority control of the company.

If successful, MRC will have an attributable capacity of at least 30 MW from the Sepalco project.

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