News Clipping Archive - Page 1187 of 1320

Renewables

Rural areas rely on renewable energy sources to gain electricity

29 March 2019

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Myanmar

Small scale hydropower plants, wind turbines and renewable energy sources are potential sources to supply electricity in rural areas, said Union Minister Thaung Tun for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations.

“The government is implementing to improve living standards for locals and infrastructure buildings in Chin State. In doing so, there will be many opportunities to make investment in renewable energy sector. The potential sources such as small scale hydropower plants and wind turbines are to supply electricity in rural areas where national grid is not accessible,” said the union minister.

People said Myanmar is the last market for Asia. Moreover we have to think of Chin State to be a good place to make investment. The state is located in western part of Myanmar and it is a link between China and India. Although it is a challenge as the state has mountains and incomplete infrastructure. They may be opportunities for investors, he added.

Investors are discussing with authorities to generate electricity from two large scale hydropower projects in Chin State, according to a report about challenges and opportunities for economic development for Chin State.

One project is located on Lay Myo River near Ko Phaeshay Village in Paletwa Township and the other project is located on Manipura River in Falam Township. Both can approximately generate 600 megawatts and 380 megawatts respectively, the report said.

Moreover the potential places, where small scale hydropower projects are likely to build, are Matupi, Mindat, Htantlan, Tiddim and Tonzan townships. A place in Tiddim Township can generate electricity from wind power, it said.

Oil & Gas

SPC opens first service station in Myanmar

29 March 2019

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Myanmar

YANGON: Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC) opened its first service station in Myanmar on Saturday (Mar 30).

The joint venture with Shwe Taung Group’s Shwe Taung Energy marks SPC’s first entry into the retail energy business in Myanmar. Shwe Taung Energy operates gasoline and diesel distribution centres across the country.

“Customers are promised an enhanced refuelling experience at SPC stations in Myanmar,” SPC said in a press release. “They will enjoy the same premium quality fuel developed by SPC, which is imported directly from its refinery in Singapore.”

SPC added that its stations are “designed with a strong focus on safety”, with features such as anti-static staff uniforms and designated walkways.

The joint venture plans to invest more into Myanmar’s retail energy sector, providing job creation opportunities in the country.

“We are seeing considerable growth opportunities in the oil and gas retail market in Myanmar. Consumers are become more discerning and sophisticated, and there is an increasing demand for higher quality products and services,” said SPC’s managing director Xia Hongwei.

“A recognised homegrown brand from Singapore, we are committed to developing the SPC brand in Myanmar. We promise to deliver the same added convenience and premium products and services to Myanmar,” Mr Xia added.

Shwe Taung Energy director U Win Htay said: “Combining SPC’s extensive retail experience in Singapore and Shwe Taung’s local knowledge, we are committed to fulfilling Myanmar consumers’ demand for energy in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.”

Electricity/Power Grid ,
Energy Economy ,
Others

Vietnam electricity prices go up again after two years

29 March 2019

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s power prices went up 8.36 percent Wednesday after remaining unchanged for two years. A senior official of the Ministry of Industry and Trade told that prices have gone up from VND1,720 (7.4 cents) per kWh to VND1,864 (8 cents), exclusive of VAT.

The ministry had said earlier this month that the Prime Minister had approved an increase in power prices. Vietnam’s power consumption has been increasing by about 10 percent each year, but generation has not kept pace.

The hike could lower Vietnam’s GDP this year by 0.22 percent and increase its consumer price index (CPI) by 0.29 percent, the ministry said. Vietnam’s CPI increased 3.54 percent in 2018. Vietnam’s electricity prices have almost doubled in the last decade, but the last time they were raised was in 2017.According to Vietnam Electricity (EVN), its overall production costs rose by VND5.48 trillion ($235.46 million) year-on-year in 2018 mainly due to exchange rate differences in electricity purchase contracts and gas price increases.

The utility expects costs to rise by VND15.25 trillion ($655.34 million) in 2019. This is not to mention other expected increases in costs of production, as well as coal and electricity imports, EVN said. Hoang Quoc Vuong, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, had noted earlier that Vietnam’s electricity prices were 8.1 percent lower than that of China and India, 18 percent lower than Laos and 26.5 percent lower than Indonesia. Even with the latest increase, the prices would only be on par with China and India, he said.

“The fact that Vietnam’s electricity prices are lower than other countries is also why foreign investors are not interested in investing in electricity projects here,” he said. Vietnam, one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, has been struggling to develop its energy industry. World Bank country director for Vietnam Ousmane Dione said at a recent forum that Vietnam would need to raise up to $150 billion by 2030 to develop its energy sector. Dione added that electricity demand in the country is set to grow by about 8 percent a year for the next decade.

Energy Economy ,
Others

Việt Nam seeks investment in energy market

29 March 2019

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Vietnam

HCM CITY — As one of the most efficient power markets in Southeast Asia, Việt Nam has huge prospects, especially in renewable energy, experts have said.

There is need for investment in Việt Nam in production, export capacities and upgrading of infrastructure, Phan Thế Anh, deputy general director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s southern affairs, said.

The Government is looking for responsible and sustainable investment that not only secures the future of the country but is also sensitive to the environment, he told the first Electrify Vietnam Summit, which opened on March 28 in HCM City.

The country has achieved almost 99 per cent electrification at a relatively low cost compared to its neighbouring countries, he said.

The main drivers of energy consumption are industrial growth, urbanisation, increase in residential energy usage, and adoption of mechanised transportation systems.

The country’s energy demand is forecast to increase by over 10 per cent a year between 2016 and 2020 and by 8 per cent in 2021-30.

Electricity demand is expected to be 265-278 Terawatt hours (TWh) in 2020 to 572-632 TWh in 2030 as against 86 TWh in 2010.

To meet this growing demand, Việt Nam needs to add 6,000-7,000MW of capacity annually at a cost of US$148 billion by 2030.

Its energy sources are very diverse: coal, oil, natural gas, hydropower and renewables like solar, wind and biomass.

Currently, hydropower and coal are the largest sources and would remain so in the short term.

Anh said the Government has recently revised the Power Development Plan to increase the share of renewables like biomass, solar and wind to reduce the gap between demand and supply.

It aims to increase renewable power output from 58 billion kWh in 2015 to 101 billion kWh by 2020 and 186 billion kWh by 2030.

That will be equivalent to 7 per cent of total supply in 2020 and 10 per cent in 2030, and go a long way in ensuring energy security, environmental protection and sustainable socio-economic development and mitigating climate change.

Renewable power development will require investment of $23.7 billion by 2030.

Đào Quốc Vũ, a senior expert at Vietnam Electricity’s power market department, said the sector should turn to seeking investment from non-traditional sources, especially private and foreign.

It needs to increase competition to improve efficiency and ensure reasonable prices and the level of competition in the power market should be gradually increased to strengthen incentives for efficiency, he said.

There is also a need to improve fairness, transparency and competition, he added.

Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz S.A. Kadir, chairman of Confexhub Group, said: “The Vietnamese Government is broadening its strategic approach to fully tap the huge potential of its power sector by unlocking the private investment potential and inviting foreign technical expertise and foreign investment.”

It has been constantly looking for responsible and sustainable investment not only to secure the future of the country but also to safeguard the environment, he said.

It is strategically planning and carrying out a comprehensive assessment of all energy choices to maximise its renewable resources in a proper manner, he said.

“There is also a need to enhance transparency and encourage community participation in formulation of energy sector development plans and specific investment projects.

“Planning and implementation of the national electrification programme will also need to be comprehensive and synchronised across the country.”

The two-day summit, “Electrifying Việt Nam through Sustainable Energy Plans”, seeks to promote better understanding of Việt Nam’s energy and power market and investment climate.

The discussions covered topics like Việt Nam’s key economic priorities and foreign investment policies, business structure and financing options, initiatives in promoting the power industry as well as the electricity policy, regulatory and financing framework.

A series of investment matching meetings is scheduled to bring together energy and power regulators and the private sector.

Others

Nation’s first Micro LNG facility

29 March 2019

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Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia’s first Micro Liquefied Natural Gas facility at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park that was officially launched, Thursday, will not only spur the economy but provide job opportunities for Sabahans, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. Some 99 per cent of the workforce comprises Sabahans, mainly engineers and technicians. Although micro in size with capacity of producing 35 metric tonnes daily or equivalent to 1.8 million standard cubic feet a day, it can meet the energy requirements of small and medium industries across the State. Consumers would benefit from cleaner and cheaper fuel at a competitive price, which in turn translates to cost savings and reduce the cost of doing business in Sabah.

Kudos goes to Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd (SEC), a wholly owned company of the State Government, which reached this significant milestone, in collaboration with Zhangjiagang Furui Special Equipment Company limited, a multinational company from China. SEC also inked a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Sales and Purchase Agreement with five palm oil refineries in Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Kunak. The first delivery was made to Lahad Datu on March 16. Shafie noted that Sabah being one of the biggest gas producers in the nation should benefit from this, citing the way forward is among others to work with Petronas focusing on downstream activities. “We have the ability, not only in terms of sufficient natural resources, we also realise and know that the demand for gas at international level is high, the price is stable and this is what we need to boost on,” he said. He expressed confidence that Sabah would soon be able to increase gas production capacity. On another note, he said, they are in the midst of discussing with the Federal Government about the east coast gas pipeline project which was put on hold by Federal last year.

“We are in the midst of discussion on how best we can ensure that this plan can be ignited, but of course it is a question of money,” he said. In addition to banking on resources such as oil and gas, timber, palm oil and sand, the State Government is also progressing towards a game changer in terms of using land not only for rubber and oil plantation, but fully used to produce food terminal. He cited Tawau and Keningau which has huge potential for this, with its fertile yet undeveloped land, which can benefit the people. “We know that the food industry for example has a fast turnover, unlike oil palm which takes seven to eight years. Fruits and vegetables take a shorter time to produce. “We know and realise that humans need to eat, not once a month but every day, so we have to ensure food security in this part of the area, that we can be the main supplier not only for Malaysia but also the world,” he said. He also noted the need to develop Keningau where there are over 6,000 cattle owned by private companies and the State Government.

“Not only for cattle milk production, but also for export to the peninsula, this is a wide opportunity for Sabah if we can boost our production capability not only in terms of food but also in oil and gas for example,” he said. Also present were Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Hashim Paijan, Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd Chairman Datuk Ramlee Dua, SEC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Harun Ismail and Zhangjiagang Furui Special Equipment Co. Ltd President, Wu Pin Fang, among others

Renewables

MinDA pushes for more renewable energy

28 March 2019

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Philippines

THE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is pushing for more renewable energy facilities in this southernmost part of the country to keep with surging electricity demand driven by rapid growth of industries, real estate, services sector and agribusiness.

This was announced here by MinDA Assistant Secretary and Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro to the stakeholders at the Water, Energy and Power Summit held on Tuesday, March 26, in Zamboanga City.

Montenegro said that Mindanao will require about 3,500 megawatts of new capacity between 2021-2030.

He said from supply shortfall resulting in long brownouts in 2011, Mindanao started having more than enough power by end of 2015 and currently it has supply excess following the entry of new power plants, but needing more by 2022.

However, he lamented that the entry of mostly coal-powered plants had resulted in the reversal of renewable energy-fossil energy mix.

He said Mindanao’s power energy mix in 2015 was 49 percent hydro, 14 percent coal, 31 percent oil-based and six percent geothermal, or 55 percent renewable energy and 45 percent fossil.

He said that in 2017, it was 49 percent coal, 29 percent hydro, 18 percent oil-based, three percent geothermal and one percent biomass or 67 percent fossil and 33 percent renewable energy. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)

Electricity/Power Grid

France’s ENGIE to assist with Myanmar electrification

28 March 2019

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Myanmar

ENGIE has teamed up with a Myanmar-focused off-grid energy specialist to help spur rural electrification across the Southeast Asian country with mini-grids combining PV, diesel and battery storage.

The French energy giant has been increasingly active in the off-grid clean energy space in India and Africa since 2016, and this month has taken a minority stake in Mandalay Yoma Energy, to focus on Myanmar’s national programme for total electrification by 2030, in a country that has at least 27 million people without access to power.

Nathalie Risteau, director and co-founder of Mandalay Yoma, told PV Tech that the company is already providing power to 6,000 consumers, which is more than half of what the government achieved in the last two years.

Electricity/Power Grid

Vietnam achieves nearly 99 percent electrification

28 March 2019

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Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is one of the most efficient power markets in Southeast Asia, and has achieved nearly 99 percent electrification with relatively low cost in comparison to neighbouring country, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

The ministry shared the information at the Electrify Vietnam 2019 Conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 28.

According to Phan The Anh, deputy director of the MoIT’s Agency for Southern Affairs, power demand is forecasted to growth by more than 10 percent each year from now to the end of 2020 and by 8 percent annually during 2021-2030. Therefore, to satisfy the increasing demand, Vietnam will need 60,000 MW of electricity by 2020, 96,500 MW by 2025 and 129,500 MW by 2030.

The country has diverse energy sources, ranging from coal, oil, natural gas, hydropower, and renewable energy. At present, hydropower and coal-fired power lead amongst the power generation sources, and will continue to be the main short-term power sources for the country.

In the context of rising power demand, the Vietnamese Government has revised its power development plan in the direction of raising the power output from renewable sources. The Government also affirmed the importance of the stable and sustainable development of power sources in socio-economic development.

Nguyen Van Vy, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Energy Association (VEA), said many foreign organisations are supporting Vietnam in assessing energy source development potential. Many investors have also expressed interest in the energy market in Vietnam, considering preferential treatment for investment in solar and wind power.

However, experts said new measures are needed to attract investment and improve energy efficiency from production to consumption in order to fully realise the country’s energy potential.-VNA

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