News Clipping Archive - Page 1204 of 1232

Energy Cooperation ,
Renewables

ExxonMobil to contribute US$10m to the Singapore Energy Centre partnership

12 November 2018

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Singapore

EXXONMOBIL has announced that it will be contributing US$10m to the Singapore Energy Centre. The announcement was made on 31 October at Singapore International Energy Week 2018.

The Singapore Energy Centre was created as a joint effort to transform the energy landscape and address future sustainability challenges. ExxonMobil will be the first founding industrial member of the centre which is co-led by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, and National University of Singapore (NUS).

ExxonMobil signed a memorandum of understanding to become a founding member in November 2017. The five-year commitment represents the company’s first such research and development partnership outside of the US. As part of the partnership ExxonMobil researchers and scientists, as well as other industry contributors, will collaborate with faculty and students at the universities.

ExxonMobil will support the centre’s wide range of early stage research projects. The centre will initially focus on areas such as bioscience; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage; and energy and water efficiency.

Vijay Swarup, vice-president of research and development at ExxonMobil Engineering and Research Company, said at a signing ceremony held during Singapore International Energy Week: “The Singapore Energy Center will serve as a focal point for close collaboration between universities and industry in exploring solutions for addressing the dual challenge of meeting society’s growing energy needs while addressing the risks of climate change. With projected energy demand growth across Asia-Pacific, it’s critical that the public and private sectors work together to advance scalable, next-generation energy technologies while reducing the environmental impact of energy production.”

Gan Seow Kee, chairman and managing director of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte, said: “ExxonMobil’s participation in the Singapore Energy Center further enhances our technological capabilities in the country, and complements our already strong manufacturing and commercial presence. Our participation in the company’s first energy centre outside of the US builds on our long and thriving relationship with these two leading universities in Asia.”

NTU and NUS are extending invitations to other leading companies to join the centre. This will help to foster interdisciplinary research collaborations between academia and industry.

Nanyang Technological University

Subodh Mhaisalkar (NTU), Vijay Swarup (Exxon), and Philip Liu (NUS) at the Asia Clean Energy Summit

The Singapore Energy Centre participated in the Asia Clean Energy summit. The summit is a two-day event held as part of Singapore International Energy Week.

The Singapore Energy Centre

The Singapore Energy Centre was launched on 31 October 2018 by NTU, NUS, and ExxonMobil. The centre aims to tackle technological and socioeconomic issues in sustainable energy development, and to groom talent in related fields. Initially it will focus on developing next-generation technology. ExxonMobil will provide US$10m funding over the next five years. The topics being explored for funding by ExxonMobil include but are not limited to:

Bioscience: Discovering novel materials and process designs for making fuels and chemicals to help lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage: Exploring a broad range of technologies to capture, store and utilise carbon from industrial applications. This could help reduce carbon emissions in line with Singapore’s national goals.
Energy and water efficiency: Exploring technologies to reduce plastic waste, water, and energy consumption during manufacturing whilst still providing for the needs of a growing population and economy.

These research projects embody the concept of a “green economy” which is a key focus of the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint. The blueprint aims to transform Singapore into a hub for sustainable development that encourages businesses to adopt greener practices.

Professor Chen Tsuhan, deputy president of research and technology at NUS, said: “This strategic partnership will enable consortium members to identify issues of common interest to the industry and co-develop solutions with the two universities. This approach will bridge the gap between early-stage research and economic-centric applied research, both of which are needed for development of long-term sustainable energy solutions.”

Professor Lam Khin Yong, vice president of research at NTU, said: “This joint centre will take ideas nurtured at the lab into industry, and also study the environmental impact of innovations, as well as business and economic models for its research projects.”

The Singapore Energy Centre is jointly led by NUS and NTU. NTU will hold the directorship for the first two years starting in 2019, and NUS will lead for the following two years.

First large-scale gold project in the Kingdom in early 2020

12 November 2018

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Cambodia

Emerald Resources will start their first large-scale gold project in Cambodia in early 2020. Ananth Baliga

Emerald Resources, the Australian-listed mining firm behind Cambodia’s Okvau gold project in Mondulkiri province, will start its first large-scale gold project in the Kingdom in early 2020.

Ministry of Mines and Energy spokesman Yos Monirath who said this, added that the firm obtained an industrial mining licence in July and actively raised funding to develop the project.

Emerald Resources, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), said in an ASX filling last Thursday that it has raised A$27 million ($19.5 million) to fund development activities at its Okvau operations.

Monirath said on Sunday that Emerald Resources received an industrial mining licence in July. The firm is actively raising funding to develop its production infrastructure, and that it will presumably extract its first gold nuggets in early 2020.

Revenue for the government

He said the project would provide jobs, generate economic activities and revenue for the government. “We will earn revenue from royalties, taxes, and rental fees from the land needed for this project,” he said.

Emerald Resources, Monirath said, is the first large-scale company to obtain an industrial mining licence from the ministry. So far, he said the ministry had provided 50 exploring licenses for mining.

The company released its definitive feasibility study (DFS) in May last year and revealed that the Okvau gold project could produce 106,000 ounces of gold a year on average.

It estimated that the mine will initially be active for seven years, while capital investment amounted to $98 million.

Emerald’s managing director Morgan Hart said in the filling that the A$27 million funding will be used to start development activities at Okvau, repay unsecured loans, and finance ongoing working capital requirements and costs of the placement.

“We are delighted with the support received from our current and new institutional shareholders.

“The support demonstrates the robust nature of the Okvau gold project and the support for the company’s strategy of becoming the first modern large-scale Cambodian gold producer,” he said.

Transparency International (Cambodia) senior programme director Pech Pisey said on Sunday it is a good move for Cambodia to have a gold producing company as it will help to boost the government’s revenue.

‘Avoiding corruption’

However, he said ensuring transparency in managing revenue from gold mining is very important and the public had raised concerns on the issue since the ministry had not released sufficient information about the project’s potential.

Because there is insufficient information, observers have to rely on announcements from the firms, especially the ones listed at the stock exchange abroad, according to Pisey.

“We urge the government to ensure that the companies will reveal actual revenues regardless if it is a gold mining business and an oil extraction,” he said.

He said a mechanism to follow up the actual development of the company is needed.

“The ministry itself should need to monitor its own financial management system to avoid any corruption when collecting revenue from the firm,” he said.

Energy Efficiency

Sultan calls for wise use of technology

12 November 2018

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Brunei Darussalam

HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday reminded the people to use technology wisely for the purposes of strengthening their religious faith, instead of allowing themselves to be controlled by technology.

His Majesty said this in a titah at the 8th Convocation of the Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

His Majesty, who is also the Chancellor of KUPU SB, said, “At present, people are earnestly talking about 21st Century skills and the 4th Industrial Revolution. The advancement of digital knowledge has become a platform for improving the value of our achievements. It is undoubtedly an incredible advancement in the field of technology. It also makes life much easier and more instantaneous.

“In this regard, may I suggest that academicians, teachers and graduates avail themselves of these advances in technology to be more creative, innovative and productive in providing more accessible, quick and easy teaching aids which can also be used to improve the quality of Dakwah activities.

“The combination of knowledge, faith and virtue with technological progress is one of the ways towards a prosperous life in this world and in the hereafter.

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Chancellor of Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) delivers a titah during the convocation ceremony. – BAHYIAH BAKIR

“This is consistent with verse 77 from Surah Al-Qasas: ‘But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not mischief in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like those who carry out mischief.’”

His Majesty also reiterated the need to learn Islamic History. “I would like all the involved parties not to be indifferent in their responses to this, as I would not want our present and future generations to be ignorant of Islamic History.

“Islamic History is part of the legacy of human civilisation. It should not be marginalised, because otherwise it means that we have lost our sense of identity. Those lacking in self-identity are often disconnected and confused, as they have forgotten their roots.”

His Majesty also congratulated the graduates for the successful completion of their studies at KUPU SB: “I also congratulate the parents and guardians, and all the lecturers of KUPU SB, for their support and prayers for the success of the graduates.

“The experience gained by KUPU SB graduates, both academically and in co-curricular activities, is very important for a prospective educator or a person specialising in religious services.

“This experience is important enough to be sustained as a way of developing individuals with potential, whether it be in a formal or informal manner,” said the monarch. The graduates are required to contribute sincerely towards charitable causes, whether in terms of energy or moral guidance. This is the dedication required of the graduates for our society. It is also an act of magnanimity, as commanded by Allah the Almighty in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 69: ‘As for those who strive in Our cause, We shall surely guide them to Our ways. Indeed, Allah is with those who do good.’”

His Majesty also noted with pleasure the progress achieved by KUPU SB through its annual report, in addition to its success in strengthening the curriculum in alignment with the school system.

Similarly, the institution has also succeeded in expanding its intellectual, social, Dakwah, health and welfare activities.

“During Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali’s (UNISSA) recent Hafl Al-Takharruj (convocation ceremony), I alluded to the ranking of higher education institutions. I meant this actually as a stimulus, in order for each institution to have its own vision and determination in striving towards excellence,” said the monarch.

“I did not mean to put pressure regarding this matter on our centres of higher education, such as UNISSA and KUPU SB. I understand that each of these centres is in a different setting. The pace towards which they reach the rankings is also determined by their respective settings.”

In concluding the titah, His Majesty expressed appreciation and gratitude towards the faculty of KUPU SB, particularly the Chairman and members of the KUPU SB Council, Ra’es, senate members, core officers, academicians and staff members.

“Let us continually pray to Allah the Almighty with the hope that KUPU SB will be a centre of studies that is blessed by Allah the Almighty, and capable of serving the country and Muslims in general,” said His Majesty.

His Majesty later presented 233 graduating students with their degrees and diplomas.

Out of 233 students, 24 graduated with a Masters in Religious Teaching, 19 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Religious Teaching, three with a Postgraduate Diploma in Religious Teaching (Arabic), 35 with a Bachelors in Religious Teaching (Usuluddin), 75 with a Bachelors in Religious Teaching (Syariah), 12 with a Higher Diploma in Religious Teaching (Usuluddin), and 65 with a Higher Diploma in Religious Teaching (Syariah).

Energy Cooperation ,
Renewables

ROUND-UP: Singapore eyes 100MW floater, ADB funds Mongolia solar-wind-storage, Kenya PV airport

12 November 2018

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Singapore

Singapore’s EDB consults on 100MW floating solar

31 October: Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) has consulted the industry to explore the possibility of a 100MW floating PV system for private sector consumption at Kranji Reservoir.

The Kranji Reservoir is suitable due to its larger water surface area, according to the issued Request for Information (RFI),

Just a small portion of Kranji’s surface could yield up to 100MW of floating solar, however the reservoir is also considered an important ecological biodiversity site so the viability of the project will be subject to the results of environmental studies.

PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, will also be deploying a 50MW floating solar PV system at Tengeh Reservoir by 2021.

ADB funds Mongolia 41MW distributed solar-wind-storage project

2 November: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is provide US$40 million in loans to the Government of Mongolia for a 41MW distributed solar PV, wind, battery storage and thermal heat pump system – said to be the first-of-its-kind in the Asian country.

The project will include energy management systems and will supply electricity to about 260,000 people in remote and less-developed towns in western Mongolia, who currently rely on high-cost and high-polluting carbon-intensive electricity.

The loan was originally approved in September.

ADB’s funding of $40 million is supplemented by grant cofinancing; US$14.6 million from the Strategic Climate Fund under the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program in Low-Income Countries; and US$6 million from the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism. The Government of Mongolia is contributing US$5.6 million to the project.

ADB country director for Mongolia Yolanda Fernandez Lommen said: “These projects will support the government’s efforts to raise the share of renewable energy, decrease carbon dioxide emissions, and improve public financial resource mobilization and management. They are also closely aligned with ADB’s Country Partnership Strategy for Mongolia to foster inclusive growth, improve people’s access to services, and strengthen environmental sustainability.”

Solarcentury to install solar panels at Moi International Airport in Kenya

30 October: UK-based solar developer Solarcentury will install a ground-mounted 500kW solar system at Kenya’s Moi International Airport, Mombasa, that will generate 820,000 kWh per year.

The system will be interconnected to the airport terminal grid, and will prioritise consumption of the solar power over the grid. Solarcentury will also install airport gate electrification equipment consisting of a mobile electric-powered pre-conditioned air (PCA) unit and an electric 400 Hz Ground Power Unit (GPU) converter and a large battery storage that will provide uninterrupted power to the PCA and GPU whilst in use.

This marks the first airport to have a solar PV system installed in East Africa.

Energy Cooperation ,
Renewables

Indonesia, UK seek to boost economic ties

12 November 2018

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Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Rizal Sukma speaks at the Indonesian Briefing forum in London on Nov. 1. (Courtesy of/Indonesian Embassy to the UK)

Indonesia and the United Kingdom have expressed a wish to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries amid rising global protectionism sparked by the trade war between the United States and China.

Speaking at the Indonesian Briefing forum in London recently, Indonesian Ambassador to the UK Rizal Sukma stressed the importance for both countries of exploring more detailed information about various sectors to boost trade, investment and tourism.

“The Indonesia Briefing is part of the efforts to monitor the interesting progress in Britain of the Brexit process. For Indonesia it is an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties,” he said in a press release issued by the Indonesian Embassy to Britain.

Rizal said Indonesia sought to increase bilateral trade from around US$2.5 billion currently to between $5 billion and $7 billion annually.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the UK prime minister’s special envoy for trade for Indonesia and the ASEAN Economic Community Richard Graham, who stressed the importance for UK businesses of exploring business opportunities in Indonesia, the largest country in Southeast Asia.

Gaham underlined opportunities that could be pursued in Indonesia, including financial cooperation, financial technology (fintech), infrastructure, the digital economy and renewable energy.

Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor Rosmaya Hadi explained the solid growth of the Indonesian economy amid the global economic uncertainty. “BI is trying to respond to the global economic fluctuation through introducing mixed policies, covering the monetary, macro prudential and payment systems,” he added

Also speaking during the panel session at the event were Sarah Hewin, chief economist at Standard Chartered Bank, Nezar Patria, editor in chief of The Jakarta Post and Chris Wren, executive director Britcham Indonesia. (bbn)

Renewables

Singaporeans dish second helping of Vietnam wind

12 November 2018

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Vietnam

Singaporean developer Blue Circle has completed construction of phase two of the Dam Nai wind farm in Vietnam bringing total capacity 40MW.

The second stage has added 12 turbines to the three Siemens Gamesa G114-2.625MW machines that have been operating since October 2017 in Ninh Thuan province in the south of the country, the company said.

Commissioning of the turbines will take place this month and commercial operations are expected to start in December, it added.

Blue Circle chairman and chief executive Olivier Duguet said: “Construction of the Dam Nai project phase two has been carried out with huge pressure coming from the imminent arrival of the monsoon season, which starts in November, when high winds would have prevented the erection of the largest rotors in Vietnam.

“Our teams, together with Siemens-Gamesa and partners, have done a fantastic job to achieve the construction of what is now the Vietnam’s largest onshore wind power project.”

Blue Circle said the site has the potential for total installed capacity of between 80 to 120MW and the company will continue with further developments in the area.

Dam Nai (pictured) is Blue Circle’s first completed wind development in Vietnam.

Energy Cooperation ,
Oil & Gas

PH sets petroleum perks benchmarking with Indonesia

12 November 2018

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Indonesia ,
Philippines

The Philippines has set into motion collaborative talks with Indonesia on prospective benchmarking of incentives for investments in the upstream petroleum sector.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi

This was a matter that Philippine Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi had raised with Indonesian Deputy Minister of Energy and Resources Arcandra Tahar in their bilateral meeting in Singapore last week.

“With Indonesia, I’m comparing our policies as against their policies for oil and gas investments… so we had bilateral discussion,” the energy chief said.

He added that it might be worth for the country to look at their investment frameworks and their incentives regime “because they have been in the business for longer time than us and they have many exploration activities with a lot of contractors, so there are things that we can learn from them.”

At the same time, Cusi noted that Indonesia has “big resources and discoveries, so it’s best to see how they develop their policies and for us to collaborate on information how they enticed investments in their petroleum exploration activities.”

Cusi acknowledged that compared to Indonesia “we’re still new and we can’t even compare ourselves with them yet – just looking at the number of wells they have been drilling yearly and the scale of their discoveries.”

The energy chief emphasized that based on his discussion with the Indonesian official, their royalty sharing arrangement is almost parallel to what the Philippines has, “but they have bonuses and cost recoveries that proved attractive to contractors, so we’re trying to study these and perhaps compare it with our policies and practices.”

The enabling edict for the Philippines – to attract investments in oil and gas exploration as well as commercial developments – is Presidential Decree 87 or the Oil and Gas Law.

The biggest hydrocarbon discovery in the country to-date had been the multi-billion Malampaya gas field project – and the succeeding ones had been the oil fields like Galoc in Palawan and Alegria in Cebu.

Beyond these discoveries, however, the country still lags behind neighbors in Southeast Asia when it comes to bringing hydrocarbon investments to fruition – and this has been impacting immensely on its aspiration for long-term energy security.

The country is again putting itself on the market for its next round of petroleum contracting, but it has been its incentive regime that’s being placed under the stringent scrutiny of investors.

Oil & Gas

US firms offering LNG supply to PH

12 November 2018

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Philippines

Several American gas-producing companies are offering liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply to the Philippines as the country contemplates a technology reset process for its gas market.

The LNG supply offer was channeled through Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi during his bilateral meeting with the US Business Council on the sidelines of last week’s ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Singapore.

“They (American firms) are interested to supply LNG to the Philippines… so what I have been selling to them is the ‘gas hub concept’ that we are thinking for the country,” Cusi said.

The energy chief noted that his “gas hub” proposition is anchored on the fact that Philippine ports, like Subic, could be an ideal “intermediate destination” of LNG that might be shipped from the US to various Southeast Asian markets.

“I am actually pitching for the country – we’re already a transshipment point (so) they might want to consider using our terminals,” Cusi stressed.

According to industry forecasts, gas markets will continue to be well supplied with gas – and that shall be propelled mainly by the deeply anticipated success of shale gas revolution 2.0 in the US, courtesy of the Permian basin of which output is expected to double by year 2023.

Output from the Permian discovery, it was noted, will more than compensate for the declining reserves from other producing fields.

The Permian petroleum find is a sedimentary basin straddling part of Texas and southeastern part of New Mexico – and as programmed, roughly 41,000 new wells and $308 billion in upstream spending between 2018 and 2023 will be driving up its output in the next five years.

US oil producers have always been vocal about exceptional prospects of flowing LNG to Asian markets – considering this part of the world as a vital factor to growth in gas demand in the medium- to long-term trajectories.

For the Philippines in particular, its gas market will be going through a very critical transition of shifting its supply procurement from indigenous sourcing to embracing imported LNG as an option.

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