News Clipping Archive - Page 1109 of 1320

Renewables

Penang in solar power push, to start with Chowrasta Market

24 July 2019

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Malaysia

GEORGE TOWN, July 24 — Penang is turning to solar energy as part of its green agenda and will install solar panels at public facilities across the state, said exco Jagdeep Singh Deo.

The local government, housing development and town and country planning committee chairman said the initiative would both improve the state’s energy efficiency and reduce its power costs.

“I have instructed both local councils in the state to identify more public facilities to expand the solar energy project in line with our green agenda,” he said in a press conference when visiting Walk@Chowrasta this morning.

He said Chowrasta Market is the first market in the country to be green building index (GBI) certified and will soon have solar panels installed along the walkway next to it.

A total of 110 solar panels will be installed on the canopy of the walkway — named Walk@Chowrasta — at a cost of RM180,000 by the MBPP.

Jagdeep said the solar panels will be spread out along the 105m lane and will be completed by October.

He said the panels will save the city council about RM3,000 each month in energy bills at the site and expected to pay for themselves in about six years.

He said the project is one of the many by the local government to benefit the people and ratepayers.

Walk@Chowrasta is the first canopy project on the island to provide shade to market-goers and traders along the lane.

“Walk@Chowrasta is built with rainwater harvesting tank and it can collect up to 9,000 litres of water for irrigation and cleaning works,” he said.

The Walk@Chowrata project was awarded at RM2.5 million through an open tender to contractor Nazareka Sdn Bhd with Perunding YAA Sdn Bhd as the consultant.

The project started on November 1 last year and had been due for completion on April 30, but this has been extended to October 15.

The RM2.5 million was only for the construction of the canopy and does not include the RM180,000 to install the solar panels.

MBPP Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the city council is now looking at other premises to install solar panels for energy efficiency and to cut energy costs.

“This is part of our green agenda so we will identify more premises to install solar panels and harvest the energy,” he said.

Chowrasta Market was originally a collection of market stalls at the junction of Jalan Penang, Lebuh Tamil, Jalan Kuala Kangsar and Jalan Chowrasta back in the 1890s.

A modern market building was constructed on the site in the 1960s and it was the first market complex with an escalator.

The century-old Chowrasta Market was given a RM13.18 million facelift several years ago and the newly renovated complex was opened in late 2016.

Energy Policy

Seda completing e-bidding for biogas, small hydropower

24 July 2019

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda) Malaysia is completing the second biogas e-bidding and inaugural e-bidding for small hydropower systems, according to Minister of Energy, Technology Science, Climate Change and Environment Yeo Bee Yin.

In a statement yesterday, Yeo said the e-bidding’s aim is to facilitate price discovery for renewable energy (RE) generated from biogas and small hydro resources through healthy competition.

The inaugural e-bidding for biogas was carried out in the last quarter of 2018 and Seda is into the second e-bidding for 2019. In the same period, it will be conducting its inaugural e-bidding for small hydro.

Seda is the authority and implementer of the feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme.

In its statement, it said as at end-June 2019, it had approved 12,540 FiT applications with a total capacity of 1,744.38 megawatts (mws) — consisting of 34.6% small hydro, 25.4% solar photovoltaic (PV), 23.5% biomass, 14.4% biogas and 2.1% geothermal.

In the same period, however, total RE projects achieving commercial operations amounted to 10,254 with a total installed capacity of 621.96mws (61.8% solar PV, 15.4% biomass, 11.5% biogas and 11.3% small hydro).

As a result of the FiT scheme introduced in 2011, Seda said the estimated capital investment for the RE project is RM9.8 billion with a projected carbon dioxide emission avoidance of 3.3 million tonnes up to 2023.

Yesterday, Yeo launched Goodyear’s solar PV system — the largest recorded under the net energy metering (NEM) scheme in the country. Located in Shah Alam, the PV system is rated 2.5mw peak and is expected to meet 11.5% of Goodyear’s daily electricity consumption.

Yeo said Goodyear’s PV system is exemplary of more corporates with a strong commitment to meeting their environmental, social and governance obligations.

The NEM concept is the energy produced by an installed solar PV system that will be consumed first, and the excess energy exported to Tenaga Nasional Bhd.

The NEM was implemented at end-2016 and the total approved capacity as at end-2018 was 27.81mws.

Since January 2019, the NEM scheme has been enhanced to allow surplus solar electricity to be sold on a one-on-one basis. In the first six months of 2019, Seda had approved 20.72mw of NEM from a total 500mw quota allocated valid until end-2020.

Yeo said the government’s target is to achieve 20% of RE in the national installed capacity mix (excluding large hydro) by 2025. As at end-2018, it had achieved 6%.

Electricity/Power Grid

Paper on TNB’s overcharged bills with AGC

24 July 2019

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Malaysia

THE probe into Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) alleged violation of the Energy Commission’s standard for service levels has been completed with the investigation paper (IP) sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for feedback.

Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin told reporters that the IP was completed two weeks following consumers’ complaints over the sharp rise in their electricity bills.

She earlier launched the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge at Greentech Malaysia Corp in Bangi, Selangor.

Last May, a number of consumers vented their anger on TNB after their bills showed an extraordinary increase as compared to the amount they usually pay.

Assuring those affected, Yeo was reported to have said TNB would be penalised as it has committed an offence under the Electricity Supply Act 1990.

TNB on May 31 admitted that there was a technical hitch in the billing system resulting in the excessive charges.

On the penalty, Yeo said the ministry wants a large fine.

“We’ll see how it goes,” she added.

On the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge, the minister said it is targeted to establish and designate 200 low-carbon zones across the country by 2030, and at least 1,000 low-carbon cities partners working together towards a low-carbon future.

She said the goal of the challenge is to reduce the overall emissions from Malaysian cities by 45% by 2030.

Yeo said the low-carbon zones will have reduced emissions from energy and water consumption from buildings and common areas, reduced emissions from petrol and diesel private vehicle use, and reduced emissions from the generation of waste that end up in landfills.

Those who succeed in the challenge will be awarded diamond recognition by the ministry and will have the opportunity to participate in various low-carbon programmes, she said.

Meanwhile, at the launch of Malaysia’s largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project under the net energy metering (NEM) scheme by Goodyear Malaysia Bhd that was held later in the day, Yeo expressed her confidence that the solar industry will be able to create more jobs in the country.

She said more than 54,300 Malaysians have been working in related fields in the industry since 2011.

“In line with the government’s aim to provide sustainable solar energy, we have been creating jobs in the industry,” she told reporters.

Yeo said currently, the solar industry does not only focus on the installation of solar panels on commercial buildings, but also on factory premises.

“This has been done by Goodyear, who has installed solar panels on its factory premises as a step towards reducing its carbon footprint, as well as ensuring a more environmentally friendly future.

“It will also help the company reduce electricity consumption and cut down its electricity bills,” she said.

Meanwhile, Goodyear manufacturing operations Asia-Pacific director Ramon Le said Goodyear has installed 6,680 solar panels, which are connected to six low voltage substations capable of generating 2.5MW, not only for the manufacturing plant, but also for the office building and the warehouse.

He said the panels were made from 375W bifacial monocrystalline PERC double glass solar modules, capable of reducing 1980 tonnes in carbon emissions annually for 25 years.

The NEM scheme is a solar PV initiative by the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change to encourage Malaysia’s renewable-energy uptake.

Electricity/Power Grid

Vietnam could face power shortage

24 July 2019

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Vietnam

HANOI (Viet Nam News/ANN) – Vietnam could face an electricity shortage of 6.6 billion kWh in 2021 and 11.8 billion kWh in 2022. The shortage could increase to 15 billion kWh in 2023, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

Phuong Hoang Kim, director of the ministry’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, said the reason for the shortage was due to delayed progress in 47 out of 62 power projects with capacities of more than 200MW in the Vietnam Power Master Plan VII.

It was expected that the electricity sector would still meet the country’s power demand in 2020. However, there would be risks of a shortage if the demand is higher than forecast, poor water flow to hydropower reservoirs or a lack of coal and gas for electricity production, Kim said.

In the first half of the year, electricity consumption increased 10 per cent from the same period last year because of prolonged hot weather.

The power consumption was expected to continue to increase by 10 per cent at year-end.

Currently, power projects have been implemented in three investment models including those invested by Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the Việt Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Vietnam National Coal and Minerals Group (Vinacomin); build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects and independent power producer (IPP) projects.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong said the main reason for the delayed progress was due to capital and contractor issues. Power projects are often on a big scale with total investment of more than US$2 billion each and long construction times. Therefore, it was not easy to find capable contractors. In addition, the removal of the Government guarantee mechanism for power projects has made it difficult to raise capital.

In addition, it took a long time for BOT projects to negotiate power prices with EVN to ensure their profits, thus causing delays.

Vượng added that prolonged land clearance and low power tariffs were not attractive enough for investors.

He proposed that the Government should promote the implementation of renewable energy projects as they take a shorter time to complete.

According to EVN, it took only six months to implement a solar power project while that of a 220kV or 500kV plant was three to five years.

He added that the ministry would consider importing electricity from Laos and China to resolve the power shortage. However, this would be a temporary solution. The country should accelerate the progress of large power projects.

Trinh Quoc Vu, deputy director of Energy Saving and Sustainable Development Department said the sector should improve businesses’ awareness to save power. Some of the firms signed a commitment with EVN and the department to save 10 per cent of power consumption this year.

Minister Tran Tuan Anh asked EVN and relevant agencies to quickly complete projects in the Power Master Plan VII while updating regulations to attract investment into the sector.

Anh also asked to review regulations on responsibilities of investors of delayed projects and localities’ leaders.

Renewables

Goodyear allocates RM8m to instal solar panels at its plant

24 July 2019

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Malaysia

GOODYEAR Malaysia Bhd has allocated RM8.2 million or 30% of its total capital expenditure this year for the installation of 6,680 solar panels at its tyre manufacturing plant in Shah Alam, Selangor.

The project will be Malaysia’s largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project recorded under the net energy metering scheme.

Goodyear manufacturing operations Asia Pacific director Ramon Le said the installation at its sole tyre manufacturing plant in Malaysia was part of efforts taken to improve its financials and operations, and to power up and reduce its carbon footprint.

“We expect to see savings of around US$400,000 (RM1.6 million) per year. We also expect to see the return on investment in five years and 17% savings in electric consumption everyday.

“With this technology in place, Goodyear is set to reduce its spending on electricity while also significantly reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions,” he told the media at the launch of Goodyear Solar Power System in Shah Alam yesterday.

According to Le, the solar panel system is capable of producing 2.5MW of power, and it is connected to six low voltage substations located within the plant.

The power generated from the panels will help run the manufacturing plant, office and warehouse buildings.

“The panels are estimated to reduce 1.98 million kg of carbon emission per year across 25 years,” Le added.

He said the solar panels installation was in line with Goodyear’s global mission to drive sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

He said to drive more sustainability efforts, Goodyear started a programme called “Better Future” at the corporate level several years ago.

Through this programme, the tyre maker has identified more than 600 energy-efficient projects that focus on environmental protection.

“For Malaysia, we have invested nearly RM23.47 million into the plant as part of our energy and sustainability efforts since 2015. Through this, we have been able to eliminate almost 17% carbon emission by end-2018,” he said.

Le said the solar panels allowed the company to significantly reduce the amount of externally sourced electricity usage by the plant.

“We are still purchasing electricity from Tenaga Nasional Bhd, but once this system is fully optimised, we expect to have excess electricity which will be channelled back to the grid,” he said.

Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Yeo Bee Yin who officiated the event, said Goodyear’s PV system is exemplary of a rising tide of corporates who have strong commitment to meet their environmental, social and governance obligations.

She said there is a huge technical potential for rooftop solar PV applications given that Peninsular Malaysia has 4.1 million buildings.

Solar PV systems will help consumers save electricity bills and be part of the solution to climate change. The solar PV market can also help spawn the economy, specifically it drives employment in this sector, she added.

A report by the International Renewable Energy Agency with data provided by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia, stated that Malaysia was Asean region’s biggest solar PV employer with a total of more than 54,300 people working in the industry last year — up from 40,300 in 2017.

This employment is inclusive of the manufacturing sector, of which Malaysia is among the top three PV producers in the world.

Besides Malaysia, Goodyear has tyre manufacturing plants in Thailand, Indonesia, China and India among other countries.

Electricity/Power Grid ,
Oil & Gas

New gas outline close to complete

24 July 2019

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Thailand

The Energy Ministry is proceeding with a new draft of the national gas plan 2018-37, expecting to get the green light from Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong next week.

A source from the ministry requesting anonymity said all relevant agencies are working to complete the gas plan, which will be proposed to the minister for approval.

The gas plan is part of the national power development plan (PDP) 2018-37, with the new PDP approved by the National Energy Policy Council in January.

The gas plan will emphasise gas exploration and production activities in the Gulf of Thailand, which is nearing depletion.

With few gas resources, the government will need to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), the source said.

Under the gas plan, LNG imports are projected at 24-25 million tonnes per year, but PTT, the sole LNG importer, has import capacity of only 5 million tonnes.

The gas facilities in Rayong, both on-shore and floating terminals, need to be expanded to serve the larger volume of imported LNG in the near future.

“The ministry will consider granting a licence to develop and operate the facility,” the source said.

According to the gas plan draft, two significant projects will be LNG terminals in Surat Thani and Songkhla.

The gas terminal in Surat Thani will feed a newly developed gas-fired power plant in the same province.

The Songkhla terminal will feed new floating storage regasification units, also known as the enormous LNG marine fleet.

This LNG marine fleet in the South will support existing operations in Rayong, where gas drilled from the Gulf of Thailand is stored.

“Once gas in the Gulf of Thailand is depleted, LNG will be the alternative fuel,” the source said.

There are plans to restart a retired oil-fuelled generator in Surat Thani, but with gas instead, because the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) cannot push forward development of a coal-fired power plant in Krabi.

Under the plan, Egat will be the second shipper for LNG after PTT, in line with the government’s policy to liberalise LNG importation.

The import plan has yet to be implemented by Egat because the former minister — Siri Jirapongphan — sent back a plan to import 1.5 million tonnes of LNG in May.

Egat selected Malaysia’s Petronas LNG to import and supply LNG to Egat’s power plants.

Energy Policy

Energy Minister directs PTT to cap LPG-NGV prices for two more months

24 July 2019

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Thailand

Bangkok – Energy Minister Sonthirat Sonthijirawong says he has coordinated with PTT to consider extending the period of fixing LPG prices for street vendors and NGV prices for public transport until September. Currently the measures are due to expire at the end of this month. The move is aimed at helping low income earners and PTT has allocated 30 million baht a month in subsidies to cap the LPG price.

As for assistance for oil palm growers, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has been assigned to find ways to use crude palm oil to produce electricity according to the framework previously approved by the Cabinet, and prepare a plan for directing the use of B7, B10 and B20 diesel fuel to help farmers in the long run.

The use of the Oil Fund to subsidize the price of B20 to make it cheaper than diesel of general grade by five baht, a measure due to be terminated this month, is again up for discussion with the relevant agencies.

Electricity/Power Grid ,
Renewables

Meralco lights second microgrid facility in Cagbalate

23 July 2019

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Philippines

THE MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO) HAS INSTALLED A SOLAR MICROGRID IN CAGBALETE ISLAND IN LINE WITH THEIR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO ITS UNDERSERVED OR UNSERVED FRANCHISE AREAS.

The technology is set to provide round-the-clock power to 200 households in the 1,795 hectare island.

The project has two phases. The first phase will be 60 kilowatts (kW) of electricity, with the second phase targeted to expand generating capacity to around 1000 kW by the end of the year.

The power distribution company aims to provide for more than 600 families plus the surrounding resorts as it only currently provides its services to 200 families in the island.

Simultaneous ceremonies were both held in Cagbalete Island and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Present during the ceremonies were the Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretaries Jesus Posadas and Felix William Fuentebella, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairperson Agnes VST Devanadera, Meralco First VP and Head Customer Retail Services and Corporate Communications Victor Genuino, Meralco President and CEO Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, Meralco Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Mauban Quezon Mayor Marita Llamas, and Meralco Senior Vice President and Networks and Head Ronnie L. Aperocho.

“These projects are a continuation of our pursuit of providing a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric service,” Aperocho said.

“Our approach of using renewable energy to energize geographically isolated locations addresses the need to reduce carbon footprint while providing electricity to unserved and underserved areas,” he added.

News Clipping

THE MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO) HAS INSTALLED A SOLAR MICROGRID IN CAGBALETE ISLAND IN LINE WITH THEIR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO ITS UNDERSERVED OR UNSERVED FRANCHISE AREAS.

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