News Clipping Archive - Page 1181 of 1300

Electricity/Power Grid

NGCP secures more stable power supply for Visayas

10 March 2019

–

Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has secured additional ancillary services to ensure stable power supply in the Visayas power grids until 2020.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has granted provisional authority (PAs) on NGCP’s ancillary services procurement agreement (ASPA) with Palm Concepcion Power Corp.

PCPC, a joint venture between Palm Thermal Consolidated Holdings Corp. (PTCHC) and Jin Navitas Resource Inc. (JNRI), owns and operates the 2×135-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Concepcion, Iloilo.

The grid operator’s ancillary service with PCPC will be sourced from the power plant, which was issued a certificate of compliance in May last year, allowing it to start operating commercially.

The deal covers up to 15 MW contingency reserve at P1.50 per kwh rate for the firm contracted capacity and also up to 15 MW at P2.25 per kwh for the non-firm or when the firm capacity is not scheduled.

CR is the capacity allocated to cover the loss or failure of a power plant or transmission line in order to maintain the balance in the power grid.

NGCP said the Visayas grid has not yet reached the required levels of contracted ancillary services while demand for power in the region continues to increase.

The ASPA with PCPC will assure the Visayas region of system reliability and grid stability until 2020.

Ancillary services are necessary to support the transmission capacity, maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the grid.

Oil & Gas

Phoenix, CNOOC set to start LNG hub

10 March 2019

–

Philippines

posted March 10, 2019 at 07:15 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores

State-owned Philippine National Oil Co., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd. of China plans to break ground on the $2-billion liquefied natural gas project of Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc. in May. PNOC, Phoenix and CNOOC recently signed an agreement to put up an LNG re-gasification and receiving terminal with a capacity of 2.2 metric tons a year. “We already issued the NTP (notice to proceed) for Tanglawan, and they are now partnering with PNOC. They are looking at having groundbreaking early part of May… because we want… (a) partial operation… by 2024 (as) substitute LNG… (for) Malampaya,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said over the weekend.

The DoE has been pushing for the development of the LNG hub to secure the country’s power requirements in preparation for the eventual depletion of the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan starting in 2024. The Malampaya field supplies fuel to five Batangas natural gas power plants with a combined capacity of 3,000 megawatts.

Electricity/Power Grid

DOE ready to take over Iloilo power

10 March 2019

–

Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) remains ready to take over Iloilo City’s power distribution service in the event the transition between Panay Electric Co. (PECO) and new player MORE Power and Electric Co. go south.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the agency is prepared to continue the power service in Iloilo City in case the two parties involved fail to resolve their dispute.

On March 6, PECO filed a petition for temporary restraining order (TRO) or writ of preliminary injunction with the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court (RTC) as it challenged the validity of a congressional franchise given to MORE Energy led by Enrique Razon.

MORE Power president and chief executive officer Roel Castro said the company has yet to receive the summon from the Mandaluyong RTC. “Our legal team is looking into it,” he said.

PECO is also asking the court to stop government agencies involved in implementing Republic Act 11212 while the validity of the law is being challenged and heard.

RA 11212, which grants the franchise to MORE Energy, allows the new player expropriate PECO assets under Sections 10 and 17.

PECO said this violates its right to due process and constitutional right to equal protection of the law.

It argued that “the authority granted to MORE for taking PECO’s assets is arbitrary and confiscatory” and “the law authorizes taking that is not for a public purpose.”

PECO said seizing its assets for the benefit of MORE Energy, which has stated early on that it does not have any facilities to begin with, is equivalent to confiscation of property that may not be done by government or delegated to a private entity.

“The assailed provisions of RA 11212 is not so much the grant of the power of eminent domain, but rather the scheme by which the law was used in a not-so-subtle attempt to unduly interfere with PECO’s rights,” PECO said.

PECO’s franchise expired last Jan. 19 and was not renewed by Congress. However, it was allowed to continue distributing power to Iloilo City as agreed by the DOE and ERC to ensure continued power service in the franchise area.

This is based on the certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by then Energy Regulatory Board (ERB), ERC’s predecessor office to PECO on May 31, 1996 effective until May 25.

The CPCN is the authorization issued by the ERB/ERC to entities engaged in the transmission or distribution of electricity for the operation of a transmission or distribution system.

Renewables

Sabah should look at renewable energy

10 March 2019

–

Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah should look towards green renewable energy to make its mark in the region, said Tobpinai Ningkokoton Koburuon Kampung (Tonibung) founder Senator Adrian Lasimbang. He also stressed on the need to be innovative. “This is because we have so much local talent available in Sabah and I feel the current directive (focus) on industries in the State such as oil and gas as well as forestry needs to be changed. “This is because industries in the State such as oil and gas can already be considered a sunset industry with its very high production costs.

“We should look at renewable energy as a sunrise industry as this is where the State can stand out in the whole region given its strategic location.” He said this at the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) and Tobpinai Ningkokoton Koburuon Kampung’s (Tonibung) second series of Sabah Talk entitled Implementation of Renewable Energy Through Empowering Rural Communities” at IDS Hall, Wisma Sedia, here. About 150 people from both the public and private sectors participated in the event. Adrian said, however, the State still lacks a comprehensive energy master plan. “My observation after working 20 years (in the renewable energy sector) is that we don’t have a comprehensive energy master plan for the State. “I think it is high time we have a master plan not only on energy but also on how we can do development,” he said, adding the State also has to be the forerunner in green sustainable energy. The current plan is “kais pagi makan pagi” (just enough to get by). When we have projects, we don’t see it in terms of the future, we don’t see projection on the overall (picture) of where is the industrial development coming in. “I know the development corridors are there but it’s not consolidated to see how and where we can develop a sustainable development plan.” Meanwhile, on the event itself, Adrian said it was a good platform to provide an avenue for both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to share their experiences, have further discussions and to gain a better understanding on rural electrification in Sabah. “Today I also shared my 20 years of experience in promoting renewable energy in the State, especially in villages where this alternative energy can be used for development in isolated rural areas. “Our main problem to bring development to rural areas is the limitations we face as a result of a lack of electrical energy.

“There are still many isolated villages that do not have electricity. So an alternative energy source should be found to ensure these villages are not left out in enjoying the benefits of electricity supply. “Here I have also shared the micro-hydro system as one such alternative to be applied for this purpose.” He said one of the problems his team faced in carrying out their task was the lack of proper data on the actual numbers of villages in the State that are without electricity. “There are contradictions in the official statistics with figures ranging from 600 to 1,000 villages. However, what I do know is there are more than 600 villages in the rural areas in Sabah that still do not enjoy electricity supply. “Many of these villages are located in isolated regions such as Pensiangan, Paitan and various areas in Sipitang. So we are looking for ways to bring electricity to these areas, including using Solar PhotoVoltaic and micro-hydro based on our feasibility studies.” At present, he said, with the new government, the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (Mestecc) has given out various small funds for pioneer projects in Sabah. “One of these projects funded by Mestecc is a joint system of electricity and water. An example of this system we are now installing is in Pensiangan, which involves water filtration using solar pumps with any excess solar energy powering the villages. “So, we have just started such pioneer projects and from the results of such projects, the Government will consider much larger scale projects.” On his immediate plans, Adrian said it was also to push policies forward to promote renewable energy. “As far as what I see, renewable energy is generally promoted at the large scale such as industrial solar farms and we don’t have enough promotion of renewable energy in rural areas. “So we are really hoping that the Federal Rural Ministry (KPLB) will also adopt this at the federal level where the funds for such rural development projects come from. “In the context of Sabah, a lot of the villages are very remote and it will take years before the grid can come to them. Grid extension also comes with road access. If there is no road access, normally the grid also won’t go there, so we have to find alternative ways while waiting for the grid which will come in stages.

“We have to help these remote communities to have access to electricity which is part of the country’s goal to meet the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.” Meanwhile, IDS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Johan Arriffin Samad said rural electrification has always been a major concern in Sabah’s setting where most of the rural population are still not able to have good access to electricity. “Access to energy is deemed to be one of the most important pillars to support the socio-economic development where it serves as one of the indispensable tools to help in reducing poverty level. “One of the main constraints of lack of supply in the rural areas of Sabah is the decentralised geographical settings where most of the rural places are scattered, posing a technical and financial difficulty for conventional on-grid electric supply,” said Johan. He stressed that Sabah is in need to look into an alternative of using off-grid renewable resources to cater to the rural populations as a long term solution to elevate the local communities to be more productive and self-reliant. “In order to move towards sustainable rural electrification, the application of renewable energy needs to be implemented within the local setting through empowering of local communities and integrating them to participate in the projects”. He said the model set by Tonibung pioneered by Adrian on rural electrification that encompasses community engagement are one of the successful efforts to empower rural communities and boosting their socio-economic growth.

Oil & Gas

Pertamina hopes to benefit from Petronas deal

9 March 2019

–

Indonesia ,
Malaysia

State energy holding company Pertamina hopes that its recent deal with Malaysia’s state-owned oil giant Petronas will help its businesses expand more efficiently in the long run amid fluctuations in the global oil price.

The deal, signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in late February, would be an umbrella agreement for future business cooperation between both companies in terms of operational activities and other strategic measures, said Heru Setiawan who is Pertamina’s director of investment planning and risk management.

As a follow-up to a previous government-to-government agreement, the deal also enables the two parties to join hands in working on their overseas portfolios, or oil and gas fields outside of their respective countries.

Heru said there could be possible collaboration at the upstream, midstream and downstream sides, such as research and development, joint exploration activities, technology implementation in oil and gas blocks as well as the trade of products and the sharing of knowledge with regards to renewable energy.

As for collaboration in overseas field, Heru said, one example would be cooperation in oil refining in East Asia.

For the initial stage, the agreement already covered a crude swap mechanism, in which Pertamina’s oil production in Malaysia’s oilfields of Kikeh, Kimanis and Kidurong was exchanged with the one produced by Petronas in Indonesia’s Jabung and Ketapang fields.

“We are seeking countries that have an excess [refining] capacity as we know that the international Brent [crude price] is decreasing. Therefore, we can utilize the [excess] capacity,” Heru said.

“In a nutshell, what we agreed upon with Petronas is whether we can use its refineries to process crude from [Pertamina’s production in] Malaysia. It can also be done for our crude [produced] in other countries.”

Pertamina Internasional EP (PIEP), which is Pertamina’s arm that is responsible for managing its overseas assets, handles fields in 12 countries, namely Iraq, Algeria, Malaysia, Canada, Colombia, France, Gabon, Italy, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria and Tanzania.

In Malaysia, PIEP owns shares in eight blocks, three of which are production blocks with each stake not higher than 25.5 percent. The Kikeh field is among the eight blocks, located at the offshore Block K near Sabah.

Heru added that beside the crude processing deal, Pertamina also discussed further cooperation with Petronas in oil and gas exploration activities in the Middle East and Africa, considering the fact that both companies own assets in those regions.

“In the upstream [sector], like our asset in Gabon, for example, Petronas also owns assets there. So, we can cooperate in our business operation, such as joint cargo or operations; we can share the infrastructures together,” he said.

Pertamina upstream director Dharmawan Samsu said the company was also looking at increasing its stake in Malaysia’s oil and gas fields, including the Kikeh field.

“We have a share [in Kikeh] of around 25 percent and there’s possibility for us to farm-in, but we are still in early discussions about the concept,” he said.

Dharmawan, a former country head of British oil giant BP, said striking a long-term deal with Petronas was an effort to make Pertamina a global energy player.

The statements from both Pertamina’s executives came against the backdrop of the company’s dwindling profitability, which is arguably due to the government’s order to not increase fuel prices, according to experts.

Pertamina finance director Pahala Mansury said the company had booked at least Rp 5 trillion (US$348.7 million) in profit last year, which was a far cry from the Rp 20 trillion it was able to post several years earlier.

He declined to confirm when reporters asked him whether the amount could be lower than Rp 10 trillion.

“I couldn’t say [whether it was lower than Rp 10 trillion]. We’ll have to wait for the final audit from the Supreme Audit Agency [BPK] and hopefully it [the result] can by published by the end of March,” he said.

Separately, Toto Pranoto, the managing director of the University of Indonesia’s Management Institute, told The Jakarta Post that the government should improve the cost structure of state-owned enterprises, especially high-leveraged companies like Pertamina.

“[The government] needs to strive for a better cost structure, especially for firms with a high leverage. […] By doing so, it will help [the companies’ finances] when their revenue growth isn’t doing well,” he said.

Oil & Gas

BGC marks 21 years of delivering Brunei LNG

9 March 2019

–

Brunei Darussalam

BRUNEI Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC) was established in 1998 as a joint venture between the Brunei government, Shell Gas BV and Diamond Gas Carriers BV. This year, BGC celebrates its 21st anniversary. BGC has been and continues to be a vital force in contributing to the nation’s wealth, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) as one of Brunei’s major exports.

BGC currently owns five A-Class vessels: MV Abadi, MV Arkat, MV Amali, MV Amani and MV Amadi. Their capacities range from 137,000m3 to 154,800m3. The vessels are managed by Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO). Throughout the voyages, BGC has achieved numerous awards for its operations. In June 2018, BGC bid farewell to the last two B-Class vessels, SS Bebatik and SS Belanak, owned by Brunei Shell Tankers Sdn Bhd.

The company delivers Brunei LNG’s products to its clients in the Asia-Pacific region including Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan. BGC began delivering LNG cargoes to Japan and South Korea in 2002 and 2011 respectively. In 2014, BGC achieved the internationally recognised ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System Certification.

To support local talent growth and strengthen their workforce, BGC began operating its own Fleet Management Department in 2011. All operational aspects within Brunei’s LNG fleet are managed by STASCO and local BGC staff. This arrangement allows transfer of knowledge and prepares BGC to establish itself as a competent and reliable ship owner and manager.

Safety is BGC’s top priority. In 2018, BGC’s fleet surpassed 16.7 million-man hours without any lost time injury (LTI) and 1.4 million-man hours without any total recordable cases (TRC). The company’s safety record proves “Goal Zero” is achievable. BGC ensures everyone goes home safely to their families and loved ones.

Locals make up the majority of BGC’s workforce

BGC currently owns five A-Class vessels: MV Abadi, MV Arkat, MV Amali, MV Amani and MV Amadi. – PHOTOS: BGC

As part of BGC’s Bruneianisation Programme, the company seeks to employ and develop local talents in the maritime industry. Locals make up the majority of BGC’s workforce.

From cadet level to senior management, their staff are trained according to international standards to excel in the global arena. In 2013, BGC welcomed their first local captain and two chief engineers. BGC currently employs three local captains and six chief engineers, setting the benchmark for Bruneian seafarers. Apart from developing Bruneians’ leadership skills, BGC ensures their staff are updated with the development and latest practices in the maritime industry.

Youth are the nation’s future leaders. In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry (MEMI), BGC supports young Bruneian entrepreneurs to start and grow their own businesses through the i-Usahawan programme. With this initiative, participants propose innovative ideas, build their confidence in tendering, enabling them to eventually bid for larger projects in the future. The i-Usahawan programme is part of BGC’s social investment strategy to help grow Brunei’s economy by penetrating the regional and international markets.

Looking ahead, BGC aims to complete its ship management transition to become a fully fledged ship manager in its own right by 2020.

Others

Sustainability giants come together for a greener PH

9 March 2019

–

Philippines

As companies all over the world aspire to do their share in maintaining global ecological balance, sustainability has become not just a cool buzzword for advocates but a requirement in almost everything they do. In real estate, sustainability is fast becoming a design requirement as much as aesthetics or security. From energy efficient building materials right up to designing buildings with rainwater collecting features, green building advocates are developing solutions to reduce pressure on the planet. ArthaLand Corp., the leading boutique developer in the country, and First Gen Corp., the Philippines’ pioneer and leader in the natural gas industry, are two such green building advocates. The two companies have come together to boost sustainability in real estate and energy through projects that support the environment.

ArthaLand and First Gen’s first project together is the premium-grade office development, ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower in BGC which, during its construction, was already the recipient of the Best Green Development and Highly Commended in the Best Office Architectural Design categories of the Philippines Property Awards. It has received both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum rating and recently the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence 5-star certification, the highest and most prestigious categories in both green building rating standards. The multi-awarded corporate building uses 100 percent clean and renewable energy through a hydroelectric power plant source supplied by First Gen coming from their Pantabangan-Masiway Hydroelectric Plant located in Nueva Ecija. This makes ACPT non-reliant on coal-based energy sources. First Gen is the leading clean energy company in the Philippines and is also the only power generating company of its size that does not have coal power in its portfolio. Their investments span from natural gas, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, to solar power.

“One of the core principles that guide our business is that progress doesn’t need to come at the expense of our health, the environment, and the future of the next generations,” First Gen chairman Federico Lopez, says. “By partnering with an organization that embodies the same principles is a big step in making sustainability a way of life for every business,” Lopez says. ArthaLand has been known to build structures that adhere to global and national standards in green buildings. Their first project, Arya Residences, is the first and only residential building in the country to receive a LEED gold certification from the US Green Building Council and also the first and only residential project to be given BERDE 4-star certification by the Philippine Green Building Council. “Sustainability has become more than just a corporate social responsibility concept for us. It has become a mission to leave a blueprint of future-proofing in every premium-grade structure that we build,” says ArthaLand treasurer and executive vice president Leo Po. “Part of this mission is to use clean and renewable energy and reduce our environmental footprint,” Po adds. “Our partnership with First Gen is truly a perfect match because we share the same values and the same commitment to the preservation of the environment,” Po says. “We are truly proud of ACPT, not only because it is a solid, premium-grade building, but because of how it can be a true role model for future office developments in the country.”

Renewables

VN’s biggest renewable energy project to go operational in Apri

9 March 2019

–

Vietnam

General Director of Trung Nam Group Nguyen Tam Tien said the 246-hectare solar and wind power complex would supply 401 million kWh each year for the provincial and national energy grid, and earn annual revenue of US$71 million from power sales.

Tien said the plants would employ 2,000 local workers starting from the end of April.

He said the Trung Nam Solar Power Company, a member of the Trung Nam Group, had invested nearly VND5 trillion ($222.2 million) in the first large-scale solar and wind energy hybrid project in coastal Thuan Bac District.

The project, on which construction began last year, has installed 705,000 solar panels and 45 large wind turbines, each 76m tall.

Last year, Trung Nam and the Electric Power Trading Company under Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) signed a power purchase agreement from the renewable energy complex at a price of VND2,086 (9.35 cents) per kWh.

Trung Nam also started construction of a 165MW solar power plant in the southern province of Tra Vinh in January. — VNS

News Clipping

User Dashboard

Back To ACE

User Dashboard