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  • Renewables

Hydroelectric and Solar announced as alternative to cancelled Turkish floating power plant

8 April 2019

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  • Cambodia

The government has cancelled a contract it signed last week to bring a powership from Turkey to cope with the current energy deficit.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the agreement signed with Turkey to rent a 200-megawatt floating power plant has been cancelled due to “technical issues”.

According to Phay Siphan, the government’s spokesman, the main reason the contract was terminated is that the powership would take too long to reach the Kingdom’s shore.

..

“Our prime minister decided to cancel the contract because the powership would not have reached here on time to help with the power cuts,” he said.

“On top of that, some of the clauses in the agreement were not acceptable. The price that they wanted to charge was too high, so the government decided to use that money to build a power plant instead,” he said.

Mr Siphan said the need for energy was not so urgent anymore because Cambodia has already received some energy from Vietnam, Laos and Thailand and because it had started to rain in the last few weeks.

During the cabinet meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Hun Sen approved plans by SPHP (Cambodia) to invest in a new hydroelectric dam in Pursat province’s Pursat river, as well as plans by Schnei Tech to build solar farms in Kampong Chhnang and Pursat.

The dam in Pursat will be able to produce 80 MW and will be built on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis with a total investment capital of more than $231 million. The company has been granted a 39-year concession for the project.

..

The solar farms approved on Friday will each have a 60 MW capacity. They will be built on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis with an investment of more than $58 million.

The government also approved Schnei Tec’s expansion plans at an existing 60 MW solar farm in Kampong Speu province.

  • Renewables

Cambodia announces hydropower, solar projects amid widespread electricity shortages

8 April 2019

 – 

  • Cambodia

Cambodia’s government on Friday approved a hydropower dam and solar energy plant projects in a bid to ease the strain on the country’s electricity grid, which has been unable to meet supply demand, leading to nationwide outages over the past several weeks.

In a statement, the Council of Ministers said SPHP (Cambodia) Co. Ltd. had been approved to invest in an 80-megawatt hydropower dam in Pursat province, while Cambodian firm SchneiTec Co. Ltd. was given permission to build three 60-megawatt solar energy plans in Pursat, Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Speu provinces.

The US$231 million hydropower dam will be built as part of a 39-year concession, while the solar energy plants will each cost US $58 million and be built as part of 20-year concessions, the statement said.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told a press briefing that the power projects would benefit Cambodia “technically, economically and socially.”

“Cambodia will have local sources of energy and reusable fuel consumption—clean and at affordable prices,” he said.

“The projects will also employ thousands of people during the construction phase and as a result of ecotourism,” he added, without elaborating.

Phay Siphan said that the government expects the plants to generate US$292 million annually.

While the projects will help to ease Cambodia’s power shortages in the future, they will do little to alleviate widespread blackouts over the past several weeks that the government has attributed to high temperatures affecting the ability of dams to generate power and high levels of public consumption.

Officials said recently that the grid is around 400 megawatts short of what is needed to supply the country during the dry season.

The power cuts are expected to last through May and have caused some to question whether they are being orchestrated by the government to drum up public support for proceeding with the controversial Stung Cheay Areng hydropower dam in Koh Kong province, despite environmental concerns that shelved the project in 2015.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday told officials to “cut off electricity” to the homes of those who claim the government is behind the outages, adding, “Let them light torches.”

Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, founder of local environmental watchdog Mother Nature, told RFA’s Khmer Service he is concerned that construction of the dam announced Friday will destroy the forest in Pursat “like they have in Koh Kong and Stung Treng” provinces, because the government will use the project as an excuse to log the area.

He called on officials to provide details of the proposed dam, noting that past projects have lacked transparency.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen announced Friday that the government has canceled plans to lease a Turkish floating power plant that would have produced an additional 200 megawatts of electricity for Cambodia, saying the vessel would not arrive in time to alleviate the nation’s power shortages.

The Khmer Times quoted Ty Norin, secretary of state at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, as saying that Thailand and Laos will “sell us more power” instead.

Ty Norin said Cambodia will increase imports of electricity from Thailand to 200 megawatts from 120 megawatts, while Laos will deliver 50 megawatts instead of 40 megawatts.

“So, in total, we get 90 megawatts more,” he said.

Cambodia currently imports 170 megawatts from Vietnam.

Cambodia’s Mines and Energy Ministry has said that Cambodia produced 2,650 megawatts of energy in 2018—50 percent of which came from hydroelectric dams.

  • Electricity/Power Grid

Total power consumption hits over 3,600 MW in April

7 April 2019

 – 

  • Myanmar

The country’s total power consumption hit a record high of 3,609 megawatts (MW) in April, up over 250 MW compared with the same period last year, according to Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy Dr. Tun Naing.

The annual power production reached 2,097 MW in 2014, 2,362 MW in 2015, 2,743 MW in 2016, 2,790 MW in 2017 and 3,358 MW in 2018.

In late March, the power production reached a record high of 3653.9 MW.

Currently, Myanmar can produce about 3,800 MW. The country’s power demand is increasing at a rate of 19 per cent every year. The ministry plans to produce an additional 3,000 MW in next three years as the annual power consumption will reach between 300 and 500 MW.

Last year, hydropower accounts for 57 per cent of the total power production and the power production through thermal energy, for 43 per cent.

Yangon consumes nearly 1,500 MW, Mandalay, over 500 MW, Nay Pyi Taw, over 150 MW, other regions, nearly 1,500 MW.

About 6.33 million out of 10.877 million households have no access to electricity. In December, 2018, 4.79 million households (44 per cent) have access to power while 6.087 million households (56 per cent) are in need of electricity.

According to the figures in August, 2018, 1.3 million out of 1.58 million households in Yangon Region have electricity access and 0.62 million out of 1.32 million households in Mandalay have no access to electricity.

  • Electricity/Power Grid

Zamboanga suffers from lack of power supply

7 April 2019

 – 

  • Philippines

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Exasperated by the regular brownouts, Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar demanded the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) to pay up its overdue accounts to electricity supplier Western Mindanao Power Corp. (WMPC) to resolve the daily power outages.

WMPC cut off the supply of electricity to Zamcelco — now under the management of Crown Investments Holdings Inc. and Desco Inc. — after it refused to pay its overdue account of P235 million.

Crown Investments Holdings Inc. and Desco Inc. took over Zamcelco in January this year after bailing out the heavily indebted and poorly managed electric cooperative for P2.5 billion.

Zamcelco is claiming that WMPC overbilled the electric cooperative since 2015 by P440 million.

WMPC is being run by Alto Power Management Corp., a partnership between Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. through Conal Holdings Corp. and Toyota Tshusho Corp. of Japan. It also operates diesel plants of the Mapalad Power Corp. in Iligan City and the Southern Philippines Power Corp. in Sarangani province.

It was unknown whether former Zamcelco officials had knowledge of the overbilling or not, but many executives had been sacked in the past years by the National Electrification Administration on corruption allegations. None had been criminally charged.

Now both Zamcelco and WMPC are locked in a legal battle, with Zamboanga suffering the brunt of the business rift between the two companies. Zamcelco also stopped buying electricity from WMPC and is now scouting for new suppliers. It also acquired more expensive diesel-powered generators to be able to supply Zamboanga’s power demand of at least 80 megawatts.

Salazar said rotational power outages, which began in February, have already affected the local economy with many business establishments spending more on fuel to run their generators for hours on a daily basis.

The lack of household electricity also put a heavy burden on residents and many of them rely on Zamcelco for power supply because they cannot afford to buy their own generators.

Letter to Zamcelco

Salazar had written a strongly-worded letter to Zamcelco demanding it pays WMPC and it restores the normal electricity supply in Zamboanga. A copy of the April 1, 2019 letter addressed to lawyer Jomar Castillo was also posted on Salazar’s Facebook page that reads: “This has reference to the current power situation in our city. As you know, Zamboanga City plays a key role not only in trade and commerce, but in national security as well. Residents and businesses are complaining of longer and more frequent outages since February 4 that adversely affected our local economy prompting me to write this demand letter.”

“While we support the Investment Management Contract and laud your commitment to pump in P2.5 billion into Zamcelco, we can no longer tolerate the rotating blackouts. Whether there is legal basis to withhold payment to WMPC must be settled in the proper courts of law. In the meantime, our people cannot suffer further. We have been paying our monthly bills and we see no reason why we are made to suffer the consequences of the electric cooperative’s refusal to pay WMPC. For Zamboanga City that is hub of trade and commerce and also hosts to the Western Mindanao Command, the stakes are too high if power outages will continue.”

In a press statement, Salazar also said electric consumers were demanding Zamcelco to provide them with proper utility services. “We have been appealing many times to Zamcelco to the extent that the local government even held talks with its representatives and WMPC for them to settle their legal problems because every­body was affected by this inadequate supply of electricity. We cannot go on like this and this problem must be resolved quickly,” Salazar said.

  • Energy Efficiency

All streetlights to be LED lamps starting September

7 April 2019

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  • Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: All roads nationwide will be lit with LED lamps, instead of the traditional light bulbs, in a move to save energy by as much as 50%.

Right now, about 80% of streetlamps in Malaysia use other forms of lighting apart from LED (light-emitting diodes), which are known to be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than incandescent bulbs.

The plan to introduce LED street lighting will be rolled out in stages beginning September, said Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (pic).

“We can save about 50% from current energy expenses with this move.

“The ministry will also look into having illuminated signages on shops and buildings changed to LED lighting as well,” she told Sunday Star.

She said not only will this move be more power-saving, it will also create a more beautiful and attractive urban landscape for the people.

“We will conduct a pilot project of this in my constituency in Ampang first.

“The tender process to get contractors to conduct this project will be completed around June.

“We will then carry out the pilot project for three months.

“If all goes according to plan, we can expect to implement this on a nationwide basis in September, in stages,” she said.

Zuraida said the ministry was also looking into installing CCTV cameras at hotspots to deter crime and to catch those who dump rubbish illegally as well.

“I will also start this in Ampang first before extending it to the whole country.

“Aside from curbing crime with these CCTVs, we also want to stop people, be they Malaysians or foreigners, from littering,” she said.

On another matter, Zuraida said her ministry will push for more fire stations to be set up nationwide to speed up response time for emergencies.

“In view of the coming Budget 2020 and 12th Malaysia Plan, we are planning to incorporate measures to build more fire stations.

“There are currently four classes of fire stations, namely Classes A, B, C and D based on various criteria.

“I am proposing to create a new category, Class E.

“This category is for smaller scale fire stations to be set up on islands and remote areas including near longhouses in Sarawak,” she said.

Such stations will be smaller with less personnel, but adequately equipped to address emergencies.

“These smaller stations will be supported by larger stations within the area which can be called for back up.

“But while waiting for the reinforcements, personnel from the Class E stations will be able to be despatched immediately to provide first responder services,” Zuraida added.

It was reported that there are 258 fire stations in Malaysia.

  • Renewables

Renewable energy: the future of power for Vietnam

7 April 2019

 – 

  • Vietnam

Vietnam could meet its long-term energy demands by adding renewable energy sources and cutting-edge battery storage technologies to its arsenal of solutions, experts said at a two-day international conference on renewable energy that ended on April 4 in HCM City.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Nguyen Tam Tien, CEO of Trung Nam Group, said that renewable energy generation has already significantly increased. “Renewable energy, especially solar and wind power, will be the future of Vietnam’s long-term energy strategy,” he said.

Mai Van Trung, business development director at SolarBK, said the country has favourable conditions to develop solar energy and that commercial and industrial solar PV rooftop applications have great development potential.

Rooftop solar panels have also become more affordable for homeowners and communities, he said.

Samresh Kumar, managing director of Principal Investment at VinaCapital, said solar rooftop power presents an effective solution which provides a commercially viable option, especially for the commercial and industrial segments.

Solar power leverages existing infrastructure and monetises idle assets without requiring additional land, and it is also efficient because power is produced only where it is needed and thus frees up the grid, he noted.

John Rockhold, head of the Power and Energy Sub-working Group under the Vietnam Business Forum, said rooftop solar panels must be encouraged to reduce pressure on the national grid, while modest annual price increases and a road map for efficiency energy are badly needed.

Huge investment

Vietnam has a great opportunity to reach its energy security goals by attracting local and foreign investment, according to Rockhold.

New technologies are creating opportunity for the renewable energy sector, he said, adding that such technologies could help lower the cost of equipment for solar and wind energy.

Vietnam will require around 10 billion USD annually between now and 2030 to meet the growing demand of the energy sector, experts said.

With such high capital requirements, the government has allowed 100 percent foreign ownership of Vietnamese companies in the energy sector.

Foreign investors can choose among permitted investment forms such as 100 percent foreign-invested company, joint ventures or public-private partnership (PPP).

FDI and domestic investment from the private sector could include investment in batteries and other storage methods, which would help stabilise supply and extend the availability of solar and wind power sources.

By storing renewable energy and keeping supply high, prices for solar and wind power could be lowered.

With low feed-in-tariffs (FiT) and high production costs, PPPs are the most effective means of entering the market to minimise risks. The PPP term is usually 20 years from the commercial operation date.

Government efforts

With 66 percent of rural inhabitants, Vietnam is scaling up its efforts to bring electricity to the entire population, whether on or off-grid, increasing electrification rates and preparing the country for growth.

Vietnam is one of the most efficient power markets in Southeast Asia, driven by low-cost resources such as hydro and coal. The country has achieved around 99 percent electrification with relatively low cost in comparison to neighbouring countries.

With electricity demand projected to increase by eight per cent annually until 2025, Vietnam aims to develop renewable energy sources to ensure energy security and address growing power demand.

Hydropower currently holds the largest share among all renewable energy sources, followed by biomass and wind. Solar energy, biogas, and waste-to-energy technologies are picking up slowly while geothermal energy and tidal energy are at a very early stage.

Renewables could become Vietnam’s lowest-cost option to meet its energy needs.

In recent years the Government has developed initiatives to boost renewable energy, especially solar and wind power. Tax incentives include preferential corporate income tax rate of 10 percent for 15 years, corporate income tax exemption for four years, and a reduction of 50 percent for the following nine years.

Other incentives include preferential credit loans, land use tax exemption, and land rental exemption.

To ensure consistent returns for investors, the government has also approved electricity prices for on-grid renewable energy, including standardised power purchase contracts (20 years) for each renewable power type.

EVN, the sole buyer of electricity in Vietnam, has also been mandated to prioritise renewable energy in grid connection, dispatch, and purchasing electricity at approved tariffs.

From now until 2030, Vietnam’s economy is forecast to grow at a high rate of between 6.5 and 7.5 percent per year.

The conference was held during the two-day Solar Show Vietnam 2019, Power & Electricity Show Vietnam, Energy Storage Show Vietnam, and Wind Show Vietnam, which attracted hundreds of policymakers, regulators, investors and financiers from Vietnam, Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

The trade shows were also attended by power producers, project developers, renewable energy vendors, and business owners and land developers.-VNS/VNA

  • Bioenergy

$500-M waste-to-energy plant proposed in Bataan

6 April 2019

 – 

  • Philippines

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — The provincial government announced Friday that a British banker has presented a proposal to build a 100-megawatt (MGW) power plant using solid wastes with funding of USD500 million.

Vice Governor Crisanta Garcia said documentation was already ongoing for the proponent’s desire to set up the plant at the Freeport Area of Bataan in Mariveles town.

“It will be the first such technology converting solid wastes to energy in Bataan,” she said.

Banker David Wood, also the chief executive officer (CEO) of cocopower and who will fund the project, said it will be under the public-private partnership (PPP) but with almost no cost for the provincial government.

Mar Supnad, a journalist who introduced the investors to provincial officials, said the provincial government will only provide 15 hectares of land as counterpart.

He said that funding is ready and once documentation is finished, the proponents wanted the construction to start this May.

Wood said the project, under the state of the art Australian technology, will be the first in Bataan and in the Philippines, which will process wastes to energy.

“It is green energy to replace coal. The technology will solve environmental problems,” the foreign banker said.

He said that for the first phase of the project of 50-MGW, the operation needs 1,500 tons of garbage a day.

If the garbage supply will not be enough, the company will ask farmers to plant Napier grass as fuel for the plant that will provide additional income for the residents, Supnad said.

“It will have a positive effect on the environment for it will produce clean power,” Wood said.

He said there will be no more landfill and there will be close to zero harmful emission and a smokeless fuel.

Edgardo Rivera, CEO of Disruptive Corp. and who will provide the technology and the machinery, said they will strictly comply with the country’s Solid Waste Management Act.

They also thanked Governor Albert Garcia and the vice-governor for the accommodation. (PNA)

  • Electricity/Power Grid

Ministry mulls direct power sale

6 April 2019

 – 

  • Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is considering allowing companies that use a lot of power to buy electricity directly from power plants.

Speaking at a press meeting in Hanoi on April 5, Nguyen Anh Tuan, director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV), said they have been working with international consultancy firms to study the mechanism.

“The pilot implementation aims to establish the competitive retail electricity market in 2021,” Tuan said.

The ministry launched the competitive power generation market in 2012 and the competitive wholesale power market at the beginning of this year.
Since then, 10 percent of the country’s total power capacity has been sold to power generation firms directly.

From the beginning of this year, in addition to Vietnam Electricity (EVN), five other power corporations have been able to buy electricity from power plants. The ministry plans to gradually increase the number of such corporations in the competitive wholesale power market.

The MoIT said after three months of running a competitive wholesale power market, the difficulties are mainly related to taxes and infrastructure as the number of transactions in the market has sharply increased.

The ministry has to resolve issues of operation at power plants to ensure safe and stable operation.

Tuan said they will continue to instruct agencies to complete infrastructure and hold training courses on the power market.

“The ministry is expected to review the operation of the competitive wholesale electricity market this month to collect difficulties to have timely solutions to resolve the issues,” he added.

Renewable power plants have not participated in the competitive market as only those with capacity of more than 30MW can join the market.

The operation of the competitive wholesale electricity market from the beginning of the year has brought good opportunities to power buyers and sellers as well as customers.

The ministry has studied building a mechanism to encourage renewable energy plants participate in the market to increase nationwide power supply.-VNA

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