News Clipping Archive - Page 1208 of 1232

Renewables

Revival of 620MW nuclear power plant gets support from Philippine officials

2 November 2018

–

Philippines

A plant revival could help lower electricity costs in the country, officials said.

The Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) expressed support for the proposed revival of the cancelled Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), citing the need to lower electricity costs in the country, local media report.

Finance secretary Carlos G. Dominguez told reporters in a briefing that he is encouraging the DOF to study the revival of the 620MW NPP in central Luzon.

The annual maintenance cost of the NPP is reportedly at $504,248 (Php27m). Moreover, the Philippine energy secretary said that it would cost $2b to make the plant operational.

Energy secretary Alfonso Cusi said costs and social acceptance are amongst the government’s hurdles in reviving the NPP.

Oil & Gas

China Ready to Produce Oil, Gas With Philippines in South China Sea – Minister

2 November 2018

–

Philippines

China is ready to study the possibility of joint oil and gas production with the Philippines in the South China Sea, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

“The Chinese party is ready to continue exploring the possibility of joint development of oil and gas [fields] in the South China Sea together with the Philippines. To postpone the dispute and engage in the joint development is a proposal full of political wisdom, which [former Chinese leader] Comrade Deng Xiaoping made to the Philippine leadership 32 years ago,” Wang said, as quoted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The minister also pointed out that if the parties could implement joint energy development with mutual respect of the sovereignty, that would not only ease the problem of the lack of energy resources in the Philippines, but would also be a means of solving the territorial dispute, as well as a good example for other states, located in the region.
The foreign minister’s statement comes amid China’s involvement in a number of territorial disputes over the islands in the South China Sea. China and the Philippines along with Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam are contesting the Spratly archipelago, whose shelf has significant oil and gas reserves.

In July 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration said that there was no legal basis for China’s maritime claims in the region after the relevant request of Manila. China refused to recognize the court’s ruling.
Source: Sputni

Oil & Gas

Philippines short-lists three company groups for LNG terminal project

2 November 2018

–

Philippines

The Philippines has short-listed three different groups to build and operate its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal and hopes to nominate one by November, its energy minister said on Tuesday.

Short-listed companies were chosen from 18 groups that submitted proposals for the project, Alfonso Cusi told Reuters on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week.

They include state-owned Philippines National Oil Company (PNOC), which is seeking a partner for the project, Cusi said, while Tokyo Gas has partnered with the Philippines’ First Gen Corp.

China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) is also in the running, although it has yet to firm up a local partner, Cusi said. CNOOC has been in talks with the Philippines’ Phoenix Petroleum as a partner, he added.

“Hopefully we can have a conclusion on which proposal to accept by the end of November,” Cusi said.

The Philippines is expected to start importing LNG to feed gas-fired power plants in Batangas province, south of the capital Manila, as domestic gas supplies from its Malampaya field are set to run out in 2024.

Besides meeting local demand, the Philippines also hopes the terminal would become an LNG trading hub for the region, Cusi said.

“We are already the de-facto transhipment port for LNG to China,” Cusi said, adding that large cargoes are often broken up into smaller parcels for deliveries to China via ship-to-ship transfers off the Philippines.

“We should institutionalize this before someone else does.”

PNOC last week formally announced it was seeking a joint-venture partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain an LNG hub in Batangas Bay, near the gas-fired power plants supplying electricity to the country’s main Luzon island.

Bidders have until Dec. 21 to submit eligibility documents to PNOC.

A First Gen spokeswoman said the company has been open to taking in a partner for the LNG project, but she was not aware of any joint venture agreement or talks between First Gen and Tokyo Gas. First Gen operates four of the country’s five gas-fired power plants.

Tokyo Gas declined to comment.

Phoenix Petroleum, owned by local businessman Dennis Uy who helped fund President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016 election campaign, in June signed a memorandum of understanding with CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co Ltd to “study, plan and develop” an LNG project in the Philippines.

Last week, Phoenix said Philippine oil and gas exploration firm PXP Energy Corp may be granted “preferential rights” to acquire up to 49 percent of Phoenix’s interest in the planned LNG joint venture with CNOOC.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Florence Tan; Additional reporting by Enrico dela Cruz and Manolo Serapio in MANILA, Osamu Tsukimori in TOKYO; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Richard Pullin)

Bioenergy

Isuzu ready to modify vehicles for B20 biodiesel compatibility if Thai govt offers incentives

2 November 2018

–

Thailand

Isuzu is ready to carry out modifications on its products for B20 biodiesel fuel compatibility in Thailand if the government supports the policy and offers tax cuts in order to maintain competitive pricing, the company announced in a statement on Monday.

According to distributor Tripetch Isuzu Sales, the government has a policy to promote B20 biodiesel in order to help tackle the oversupply of palm oil as well as to increase income and sustainably improve the quality of life of Thai agriculturists.

It also aims to lower crude-oil dependency and the effects of oil price fluctuations.

“A large number of older Isuzu vehicles that have been sold to the market have not been designed to be compatible with B20. But with the sheer determination of Isuzu, we would, as a leader in diesel-engine technology and renewable-energy fields such as biodiesel, like to comply with the government’s policy.

“We prompt to invest in R&D to ensure that every current Isuzu model, both pickups and trucks, as well as those to be produced in the future, are compatible with B20,” the company stated.

However, at present, the specifications of biodiesel B20 to be sold in the market have not yet been determined.

If there are clear specifications, Isuzu will be able to develop every model of Isuzu pickups and trucks to be B20 compatible in a short period of time, Tripetch Isuzu Sales said.

“Nevertheless, the research and development of B20 vehicles might result in a vehicle production-cost increase from the engine and parts adjustments. If the government considers some incentives, B20 vehicles might be able to compete with standard diesel vehicles in terms of pricing,” it stated.

Isuzu said it has been carrying out business in Thailand for more than 60 years.

“We believe that the B20 promotion will be a part of economic driving forces in accordance with the national strategic plan for stability, prosperity and sustainability, and align with the philosophy of sufficiency economy,” the statement added.

Electricity/Power Grid ,
Energy Economy

US$500 million power plant set to take shape in Ahlone

2 November 2018

–

Myanmar

Power lines seen in the outskirts of Yangon. Myanmar must double its electricity supply by 2020 to meet demand. The Myanmar Times

Toyo Thai Power Myanmar Co Ltd (TPMC) plans to invest between US$350 million (K471 billion) to US$500 million to set up a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant, U Htet Aung Mon, general manager of TTCL Power Myanmar said.

TPMC is the subsidiary of Thailand-based TTCL Public Co Ltd.

The LNG power plant expected to generate 388Mw of electricity will be located in Alone Township, Yangon.

U Htet Aung Mon said that the LNG to power the plant will be imported.

In July last year, TPMC proposed the project to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy. The ministry issued a Notice to Proceed to TPMC this January.

At present, the company is preparing an environmental impact and socio-economic impact reports for the project. The company is meeting with residents and explaining the project in the townships of Alone, Dagon, Lanmataw, Dala, Sategyi Khanaungto, Sekikan and Thanhlyan in Yangon.

The company says it is hoping to begin construction on the project by the middle of next year, although this also depends on completion of the impact reports.

U Htet Aung Mon said that if construction starts next June, the plant could begin generating power within 28 months.

The TPCM project is one of three large LNG power plants that will be built in the country.

The MOEE also issued Notices to Proceed for a 1230Mw LNG power plant in Kanbauk, Tanintharyi Region, by European conglomerates Total and Siemens, and a 1390 Mw plant in Ayeyarwady Region to be operated by China’s Zhefu Holding Group and local partner Supreme Group.

The MOEE is currently negotiating terms for the power purchase agreements under which it will buy the LNG generated by the three plants to meet the bulk of Myanmar’s energy requirements by 2020.

Myanmar is under pressure to double its power production capacity to 6000 Mw within the next two years, in order to meet rising demand. In the meantime, several power generation projects, the most recent of which is the 225MW Sembcorp Myingyan combined-cycle gas plant, have commenced operations. Next month, a 40MW solar plant in Minbu is expected to come onstream.

Energy Economy ,
Oil & Gas

Interview: AIIB allots half of $6 billion loans to energy projects, says no longer China policy tool

2 November 2018

–

Myanmar

Singapore — The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is no longer a policy tool tied to Beijing’s Belt & Road Initiative and has committed nearly half of its $6 billion loans to energy projects ranging from power plants to natural gas pipelines, Pang Yee Ean, Director General of Investment Operations at AIIB, said in an interview this week.

When the AIIB, a development bank on the lines of the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, was proposed by China several years ago, there were concerns that it could become an extension of Beijing’s foreign policy, and a banker to the country’s Belt and Road Initiative.

“We have gone beyond being funded by China to being a true multilateral bank owned by our 87 members,” Pang told S&P Global Platts at the Singapore International Energy Week. “This shows that as a bank we no longer operate as a policy bank to China but we are supporting the Belt & Road Initiative if any of its projects are aligned with our criteria.”

Pang said AIIB has a target of building a portfolio of $100 billion in infrastructure projects, and it already has over $6 billion committed, spread across 32 projects, out of which 48% is in energy, which is representative of the energy needs in Asia.

Typically energy makes up around 30%-40% of infrastructure needs in most markets, especially in Asia, he said, adding that most of its energy projects are tailored to the specific requirements of member countries.

One of AIIB’s most recent energy projects is a $600-million commitment to the Tuz Golu Gas Storage Expansion Project in Turkey, indicating that the bank has not narrowed down its geographical scope to Asia alone.

The project, with a total cost of $2.74 billion, will expand the country’s Tuz Golu Gas Storage Facility by 4.2 Bcm from 1.2 Bcm by constructing 40 underground salt caverns to help Turkey meet its strategic energy storage capacity target of 20%. Turkey is heavily dependent on energy imports, and gets 90% of its gas imports are from three countries — 58% from Russia, 17% from Iran and 14% from Azerbaijan.

Energy Efficiency

Combating climate change through industrial efficiency

2 November 2018

–

Cambodia

The TEST programme, which aims to fight the effects of climate change by helping corporations adopt efficient and environmentally friendly processes, was launched yesterday in Phnom Penh.

‘TEST’ stands for ‘transfer of environmentally sound technology’.

The project, set to run for four years between 2018 and 2021, is a collaboration between the United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft and the Ministry of Environment.

With a budget of $1.8 million, TEST aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 500,000 tonnes through more efficient energy consumption, innovation, technology transfers and environmental management.

Industrial efficiency lies at the heart of the programme, which is based on the incorporation of technologies, best practices, and an integral management approach to address greenhouse emissions and harmful wastewater discharges, UNIDO said.

It added that based on results from a pilot project run between 2011 and 2013, a group of companies have been selected to participate in the programme.

“The project aims to show that through the TEST integrated approach, companies are able to achieve increased productivity and improved economic performance, while at the same time reducing the negative impact on the environment,” it said.

Sok Narin, UNIDO country representative, said a total of fifty factories have been included in the project, and will benefit from the programme’s technical support. They include plants in the garment and food processing industries.

“The project will provide trainings, both collectively and in-house, on the TEST tools, followed by assessments and energy audits of the production facilities, which will be carried out jointly by the factory’s TEST team and project experts,” Mr Narin said.

He said the project was expected to reduce production costs for participating companies, save operating and raw materials and increase their productivity and competitiveness.

“It will also help companies comply with national and international customer requirements, environmental regulations, as well as reduce business risks, minimise the cost of environmental compliance and reduce the footprint on the environment,” Mr Narin said.

It will also help companies strengthen their corporate social responsibility programmes, improve relations with local communities and customers, and create better working conditions, he added.

Sophalleth Eang, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, said the programme is a clear sign that the government is committed to fighting the factors that are contributing to climate change.

“Climate change is an obstacle to economic and social development. We must all work hard to solve this global issue.

“Cambodia is committed to cutting greenhouse emissions by more than 3 million tonnes, or 27 percent, by 2030,” Mr Sophalleth said.

Minister of Industry and Handicraft Cham Prasidh, also present at the event, urged local companies and factories to adopt greener energy sources like solar energy or biomass.

“If we do not take action now, it will have an impact in all industries, including agriculture. The next generation of Cambodians will suffer the consequences of inaction, so we have to move now,” Mr Prasidh said.

Leang Leng, managing director of Leang Leng Fish Sauce Enterprise, one of the companies included in the TEST project, told Khmer Times that they are proud to partake in the programme.

“It is an honour to be chosen by UNIDO and the Ministry of Industry as a model company for the implementation of the programme, which will reduce our impact on the environment,” Mr Leng said. “We are trying to protect the environment so we can at least help the Earth.”

Oil & Gas

China starts exporting petroleum to Laos

2 November 2018

–

Lao PDR

BOTEN, Laos, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) — With over 64 ton diesel, handed over from PetroChina to a Lao company at Laos-China border, the first export of Chinese refined oil to Lao market was made on Wednesday.

PetroChina International (Yunnan) Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of PetroChina group, has been studying and preparing for two years to reach the Lao fuel market since 2016.

With the aims to expand its petroleum products sales in southeastern Asia and to seek new routes to market, the PetroChina company with its Lao partner undertook thorough researches in demands, market access, custom clearance and transportation, etc.

Finally, the first tanks of Chinese refined oil products, loaded in Kunming of China’s Yunnan province and travelling for over 700 km, arrived at the importer’s depot in Boten, the Laos-China border town, over 370 km north of Lao capital Vientiane.

Chindasack Nhotmanhkhong, director of the Nationwide Trading Petroleum Public Company of Laos (NTP), the importer, told Xinhua on Wednesday that the deal done is meaningful, since it will enrich Laos with one more petroleum importing source and route.

Laos mostly imported petroleum products from or via Thailand and Vietnam before.

“I am also feeling proud of being engaged in the specific work of national development strategy to convert Laos from a landlocked to a land-linked country, and of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative,” said Chindasack.

News Clipping

Isuzu is ready to carry out modifications on its products for B20 biodiesel fuel compatibility in Thailand if the government supports the policy and offers tax cuts in order to maintain competitive pricing, the company announced in a statement on Monday.

User Dashboard

Back To ACE

User Dashboard