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Energy-Climate & Environment

Việt Nam attends UNHRC’s 42nd session on climate change

10 September 2019

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Vietnam

GENEVA — Ambassador Dương Chí Dũng, head of Viet Nam’s Permanent Mission to the UN, the WTO and other international organisations, is leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on the impact of climate change on human rights, which opened in Geneva on Monday (local time).
The event drew the participation of 47 member states, and more than 100 observer states, international organisations and non-governmental organisations.
In her remarks at the opening session, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet reiterated the priority to promote human rights amid global climate change, saying never before has the world faced such a formidable challenge.
Chaotic weather patterns and other manifestations of the environmental emergency are reversing major development gains, exacerbating conflict, displacement and social tension, hampering economic growth and shaping increasingly harsh inequalities, she said.
Bachelet said the UNHRC had a critical role to play, with both existing and innovative means to contribute to climate response, pointing out five key factors that should guide global action on climate, including climate change undermining rights, development and peace; effective climate action requiring broad and meaningful participation; actions needed to protect those who defend the environment; support for small island nations that suffer the most catastrophic effects of climate change; and the business community having a significant role in climate action.
The UN commissioner also drew the UNHRC’s attention to other human rights situations such as tension in Kashmir, protests in Hong Kong (China), children of migrant families in the US and Mexico, and migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
Welcoming advancement in ensuring human rights in many other nations, she said that with strong co-operation, commitment and efforts, the nations would be able to protect their achievements in ensuring human rights.
The 42nd session, which will last until September 27, is scheduled to pass more than 25 draft resolutions on human rights. — VNS
Read more at http://vietnamnews.vn/society/535206/viet-nam-attends-unhrcs-42nd-session-on-climate-change.html#8sBbcpQgqRdH21TF.99

Energy Cooperation

VN welcomes US Gen X Energy projects

10 September 2019

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Vietnam

The Vietnamese Government always rolls out the red carpet for US-based Gen X Energy’s high-tech projects which, according to Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, are environmentally friendly.

Hosting a reception for Gen X Energy CEO Scott Kicker in Ha Noi on Monday, Deputy PM Hue stressed the US firm’s projects are in line with the Vietnamese Government’s priority in attracting foreign investment, adding that the Southeast Asian country is interested in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and developing gas electricity plants to ensure sufficient energy for economic development.

He spoke highly of Gen X Energy’s cooperation with relevant sides to land investment in Viet Nam, expressing his belief the move will make significant contributions to boosting collaboration in trade and investment.

The official also underlined that Viet Nam expects more US investments to improve bilateral trade balance.

Kicker told his host Gen X Energy had worked with leaders of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau to outline a plan for a LNG complex in the locality.

It will comprise of a large-scale LNG storehouse and the project will help reduce costs while distributing gas to power plants in Viet Nam.

As the company has a plan to develop a gas electricity plant, he asked the Vietnamese Government to put its project into the national power planning.

Deputy PM Hue asked the US firm and its Vietnamese partners to make detailed reports on the plant’s scale and total investment before submitting to the Prime Minister for approval. — VNS

Electricity/Power Grid

Meralco bidding to cut down generation charges

10 September 2019

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Phinma Energy Corp., San Miguel Energy Corp. (SMEC) and South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) offered the lowest rates in Manila Electric Co. (Meralco)’s search for the supply of 1,200 megawatts (MW) starting December.

Meralco’s third party and awards committee received offers from five companies for the supply of 1,200 MW for 10 years, with three companies offering the least cost rates.

Phinma Energy offered 200 MW at a rate of P4.750 per kilowatt-hour, SMEC tendered 330 MW at P4.6314 per kwh, and SPPC submitted a 670-MW capacity also at P4.6314 per kwh, totaling 1,200 MW.

The other companies that joined the bidding were SMC Consolidated Power Corp. and Masinloc Power Partners Co. Ltd.

In a phone interview, Meralco spokesperson and public information office head Joe Zaldarriaga said the utility firm’s competitive selection process (CSP) was a success as it garnered a lot of offers with the least cost of power to the benefit of consumers.

“Our CSP today was successful. It resulted in least cost to consumers. The rate is all in and generators assume responsibility for plant outages. Generation companies (gencos) are also liable to pay a fine if they are unable to deliver power,” he said.

Under the contract, the power supplier failing to provide the contracted capacity shall pay a fine of P908 multiplied by each megawatt-hour (MWh) per day, which would be used to reduce the generation charge to consumers.

Following the tender, the bids of the three companies would undergo post-qualification.

“The third party bids and awards committee shall issue respective notice of award in favor of those who satisfactorily passed post-qualification,” Meralco said.

Once cleared, the gencos would start providing their contracted capacity starting Dec. 26, 2019 until Dec. 25, 2029.

Meralco has the option to annually reduce contract capacity by up to 600 MW from Dec. 26, 2023 to Dec. 25, 2025.

Meanwhile, the company is also bidding out 500 MW of supply until 2020, and for greenfield 1,200 MW supply until 2024.

Earlier, Meralco president and CEO Ray Espinosa said that given the number of firms that have expressed interest, “we could say that it is a competitive field already.”

“Even while the year started slow with energy sales volume growing only by two percent in the first quarter, the grid was soon saddled with a series of Red and Yellow Alerts starting March as a result of maintenance and forced outages,” he said.

“The supply capacity was further challenged with the increased consumption as temperature rose to 30.1 degrees Celsius, the highest average temperature for the month of June, in the last five years. Given this, we are focused on sourcing at the best possible least cost and on ensuring adequate stacking to minimize, if not avoid, power interruptions,” Espinosa said.

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/09/10/1950592/meralco-bidding-cut-down-generation-charges#ldP37ZRqYiUxTMBy.99

Others

B Grimm alots 38.5 billion Baht till 2022 in Asean

10 September 2019

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ASEAN

B Grimm Power Plc has set aside more than Bt38.5 billion for investment in its power projects with the aim of achieving 5,000 megawatts by 2022, the company’s chief executive officer Preeyanart Soontornwata said after opening its largest solar farm electricity plant in Tay Ninh, Vietnam in last week.

“We will focus on green energy such as solar, wind and hydropower in Thailand and others countries in Asia,” she said.

The company is currently developing renewable energy in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, South Korea, and the Philippines through 17 co-generation plants, 24 solar PVs, three hydro-power plants, one industrial waste-to-energy project, and a diesel generation with a total capacity of 2,896 megawatts.

The company is looking to expand investment in Malaysia, Cambodia, South Korea, and the Philippines by focusing on green energy such as wind, solar, and gas.

In Vietnam, the company aims to expand the capacity of its solar energy production of Dau Tieng 1 and Dau Tieng 2 with Dau Tieng 3. The Dau Tieng 3 plant will have production capacity of 120 megawatts. In South Korea, the company is looking to invest in wind energy by collaborating with a South Korea firm to invest in a wind energy project, while its interest in Malaysia includes investment in a combined cycle gas electricity plant in collaboration with its Malaysian partners.

Meanwhile, the company has continued to expand its investment in green energy in Thailand covering solar farm, wind, and waste.

Following the investment plan, the company expects revenue from overseas will increase from 25 per cent to 30 per cent of total revenue in 2022, with the next 70 per cent coming from the domestic market.

She added that the company’s investments will come from both the company’s cash flow and loans from both commercial banks and the bond market with a debt-to-equity ratio of not over than 2:1.

“We now have debt-to-equity ratio about 1.6:1 that has room enough to find the funding to serve our investment plan,” she said.

With the plant in Vietnam now in operation, the company believes that revenue in 2019 will grow between 15 per cent and 20 per cent compared to the same period of last year, she said.

The company reported total revenue Bt37.22 billion and net profit Bt1.86 million for 2018 and Bt21.29 billion and Bt1.15 billion respectively for the first half of this year.

Electricity/Power Grid

East Indonesia sees 90MW of additional power come online

10 September 2019

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Indonesia

MAN Energy Solutions said in a statement that two of the plants are each equipped with three 18V51/60DF engines providing the cities of Bima and Sumbawa with 50MW of electric power each for the grid of the province of West Nusa Tenggara.

The third power plant in Maumere on the island of Flores is powered by four 12V51/60DF engines with a total capacity of 40MW.

“Reliably supplying over 1,000 inhabited islands is a huge challenge,” states Götz Kassing, Managing Director Indonesia at MAN Energy Solutions. “We are very pleased that we were able to support the Indonesian government with this project.

“Our decentralised power plant solutions for reliably supplying energy to islands and remote regions have proven themselves many times. The dual-fuel engines used offer complete fuel flexibility, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the power plants, which can be operated with low-emission LNG at any time.”

“Besides the energy supply, the economic opportunities of the local population are also an important concern on the islands. We are contributing in creating jobs and providing training,” states Dr Michael Filous, Vice President and Head of Service Agreements at MAN PrimeServ.

Filous added: “We rely on more than 130 local employees for operating the three power plants, and we provide further training for these staff regarding the specific work involved in the plants at our service hub in Surabaya.”

When constructing the power plants, the company worked in close collaboration with the Indonesian company Wijaya Karya (WIKA) and shared EPC responsibility as part of an open consortium.

While WIKA took on the assembly of the power plants, MAN Energy Solutions was responsible for the delivery, assembly monitoring and commissioning of the engines, for mechanical and electrical accessories and the design of the power house.

“The Indonesian government pays great attention to the issue of electrification. We are proud that we are contributing to these plans. With the three new power plants we are significantly improving the electricity infrastructure in West Nusa Tenggara and Flores”, says Bambang Pramujo, Director at WIKA.

Six additional power plants for Indonesia

MAN Energy Solutions is currently equipping another six island power plants with a total capacity of 125MW.

Two power plants in Tanjung Selor and Biak are each powered by two 9L51/60DF engines each with 15MW of electrical power. The company also supplied two 12V51/60DF engines each with 20MW of electrical power for three power plants in Merauke, Langgur and Seram.

The sixth power plant was recently successfully commissioned on the island of Nias off the west coast of Sumatra and features five 7L51/60DF engines with a total capacity of 35MW.

Electricity/Power Grid

MEA proves its case against fake electricity-saving equipment

9 September 2019

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Thailand

The Research and Development Department of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has tested devices claimed to save electricity using modern technology.

A video clip shows electrical power being measured by means of opening a fluorescent bulb connected to the test kit. The total amount of electricity consumed is approximately 26 watts.

Subsequently, the device is plugged in with the test kit plug. The electrical power consumed climbs to 27 watts, meaning that this device, besides not being able to save electricity, actually results in increased electricity usage.

When the device is further inspected, it is found that all there is inside is a capacitor placed in a fan next to commonly used electrical equipment along with a circuit board to operate the light displayed by the device.

It can therefore be concluded that this device is not capable of saving electricity. The MEA therefore warns the public not to be deceived and become a victim of the scam. The fraudulent equipment that does not actually save electricity may in fact trigger accidents in the electrical system or affect the electricity distribution system, deemed a legal offense.

Renewables

Operations achieved at 290-MW hydropower plant between Laos and Thailand

9 September 2019

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Lao PDR ,
Thailand

Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. announces that the 290-MW Nam Ngiep 1 hydropower plant has begun commercial operations.

The plant is operated by Nam Ngiep 1 Power Company, which received the Commercial Operation Date certificate from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand on Sept. 5.

Nam Ngiep 1, on the Nam Ngiep River between Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand, consists of a dam 167 m high and 530 m long at its crest and two power stations, the Main Power Station with a capacity of 270 MW and the Re-Regulation Power Station with a capacity of 20 MW. Electricity from the Main Power Station is supplied to EGAT, and electricity from the Re-Regulation Power Station is provided to Electricite du Laos.

Construction of the project began in October 2014.

Nam Ngiep 1 Power Company is a joint investment of Kansai, EGAT International and Lao Holding State Enterprise. In August 2013, Nam Ngiep 1 Power Company entered into the power purchase agreement with EGAT and EDL, for 27 years upon commercial operation of the facility.

Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO) is an electric utility based in Japan. The company says it is “committed to contributing to the economic development of Thailand and Laos by providing a stable supply of low-cost and low-carbon electricity to both countries while earning profit as well.” The company plans to continue to expand its “overseas power business.”

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Eco Friendly Vehicle

PTT backs startup for electric bikes driven by clean energy

9 September 2019

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Thailand

Etran (Thailand), a startup in innovative electric motorcycles, has unveiled its latest product driven by clean energy as the Department of Land Transportation announced that motorcycles in Thailand produce 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emission per day, or over 18 million tonnes a year.

Supported by PTT Plc, Etran has developed motorcycles that help lift the quality of life, reduce air pollution, and promote air quality.

The new “Etran Kraf Limited Edition” is an environmental-friendly, high performance electric motorcycle with a 40Ah battery, 7kW motor, 180 km maximum riding distance per charge, and 130 km/hour maximum speed. The main components of the motorcycle are made with carbon fibre for strength and lightweight characteristics. Carbon fibre is a popular material among supercars. The model uses Internet of Vehicles (IoV) technology to connect the vehicles with Etran mobile application to enhance customer experience and safety. 300 units are currently available, it is priced at Bt150,000 ($4,7000), excluding VAT.

The startup also noted that “Etran Prom” version 2 will soon be unveiled. The first model, launched in 2017, mainly targted the motorcycle taxi segment.

The brand and logo of the company have been redesigned to align with the company’s direction. Aiming for 200,000 units in sale in 10 years, Etran was recently awarded APAC25 by Cleantech Group, a San Francisco-based company that supports the development and commercialisation of clean technologies.

Soranun Choochut, CEO and Founder of Etran (Thailand) Co Ltd, said that Thailand has close to 22 million motorcycles, according to data of the Department of Land Transport. With a single motorcycle emitting 45 gram of CO2 per kilometre daily on average and if an average motorcyclist travels 50 kilometers per day, he/she will produce over 2 kilogramme of CO2. Taking all into accounts, Thai motorcycles produce roughly 50,000 tonnes of CO2 per day, or 18 million tonne per year. As such. the atmosphere will need 3 billion, 6-metre tall trees to offset the amount of CO2.

Etran was established with the philosophy “Drive a better world”. In 2017, Etran launched “Etran Prom”, first in the world designed for motorcycle taxi market. Etran Prom was not only environmental-friendly, but also solved the problem for motorcycle taxi passengers by splitting the seats and giving more leg rooms. Another important milestone for Etran was signing a M0U with PTT Plc on studying the electric vehicle market as well as developing electric motorcycle and prototypes for charging stations.

Etran partners with SakunC Innovation, one of the leading manufacturers with world class capability in producing automobile parts with ISO 9001:2015. The frame of Etran Kraf Limited Edition’s is 100 per-cent aluminum and produced with high precision advance robot welding technology. For this limited edition, Etran will release 300 units in three series and seven colours with serial number on the side of the motorcycle. It will go on sale in the first quarter of next year.

In regard to service and charging station, Etran is in discussion with the PTT Group to expand the charging station network across all high populated areas, both indoor and outdoor. The charging stations will use Type2 technology with maximum current at 36A, compatible to all Etran vehicles and other electric vehicles in the market.

Etran’s will offer 24/7 onsite after-sale service in Bangkok and metropolitan areas.

It targets sale of 200,000 units or 1 per cent of market share for its electric motorcycles within the next 10 years.

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Six additional power plants for Indonesia

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