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  • Electricity/Power Grid

Fuel-efficient cooking stoves in 22,000 households in Mandalay

25 October 2018

 – 

  • Myanmar

Some 22,000 households in Mandalay Region are using fuel-efficient stoves as part of a government effort to reduce the use of firewood and the resulting destruction of forests and mangroves, according to the Mandalay Forestry Department.

U Tint Swe, director of the department, said the stove campaign is aimed at addressing the energy shortage in rural areas of the country, such as Ayeyarwady Region and Rakhine State.

“The approach aims to be community-based, market-driven and involve key government agencies. In Mandalay, the stove campaign was first launched in Pyawbwe township before being extended to 10 other townships. Ten townships were also added in Magwe Region,” he said.

The campaign, which is being implemented by the non-governmental organisation Mercy Corps and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, will continue until 2021.

“Myanmar has the third highest rate of deforestation in the world, of which firewood use is one cause,” said U Myo Thit, another department official.

He said 82.6 percent of rural households and 25.6pc of urban households rely on firewood, which adds up to 2.5 tonnes and 1.4 tonnes a day, respectively.

U Myo Thit said Myanmar’s Forest Research Institute developed the Improved Cook Stove programme in 1986 to address the problem. The fuel-efficient stove not only saves fuel and reduces indoor air pollution but reduces firewood consumption by as much as 40pc.

Daw Win Kyaing, 50, a sales agent for the stove in Kyaung Kon village of Madaya township, said she has sold 40 clean stoves and has 20 more orders.

“The village head asked me to work as a sales agent. I buy the stove for K13,500 (US$8.52) and sell it for K17,000,” she said.

As part of its marketing strategy, Mercy Corps and the ministry helps identify villages that could benefit from the stove and conducts awareness campaigns about the importance of fuel-efficient cooking.

  • Electricity/Power Grid

Cambodia needs solar to drive down electricity prices

25 October 2018

 – 

  • Cambodia

According to the UNDP, a full economic evaluation of the costs and advantages of solar energy in the country is necessary, as Cambodia’s government is planning to expand its power system through coal and hydro.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has issued a request for proposal to select consultancy companies for the development of a “full economical appraisal of the potentials of solar PV energy in Cambodia”.

The UNDP stresses in the document that the costs of PV have fallen 83% in ten years, and a further 70% drop is expected by 2050, adding: “The technical feasibility of solar power is further strengthened by the complementary fall in the price of battery storage, which has progressively become a solution for the variability issues inherent to modern forms of renewable energies.”

Cambodia’s power demand is met by hydro and coal, which account for 40% and 36% of the electricity supply, respectively. Another 19% is met from electricity imports. “Clearly these sources have major environmental implications and hidden costs – nationally, regionally, and globally,” the UNDP says.

Cambodia’s electricity prices are among the highest in southeast Asia, and the government seems not to have understood its grid expansion plans will worsen the situation, according to the UN department.

“The government is on the verge of committing to an expansion of its hydropower program and coal plants, and this will limit the scope for solar development, and potentially lead to additional social and environmental consequences,” the document warns.

Uncertainty deters investors

The UNDP said in April 2017, Cambodian policymakers were “reluctant to promote solar, vis-á-vis coal-based power generation and hydropower”.

The UNDP finds Phnom Penh has not made clear its plans for expansion of the grid, deterring solar investors, and that the legal framework is inadequate to “regulate safety standards of solar PV products, and [incentivize] excess solar electricity generation”.

Cambodia issued new rules for the integration of solar in January. They established a framework for the installation of rooftop and large-scale systems, but failed to provide financial incentives.

Meanwhile, the country’s first solar park – a 10 MW facility built by Singapore’s Sunseap – has been connected.

Almost half of Cambodia’s population have no access to power.

  • Oil & Gas

Pan Orient Energy Corp. L53-DD1 Thailand Oil Discovery

25 October 2018

 – 

  • Thailand

CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

THAILAND

Onshore Concession L53 (Pan Orient Energy (Siam) Ltd., in which Pan Orient has 50.01% ownership)

Pan Orient Energy Corp. (“Pan Orient” or the “Company”) (POE – TSXV) is pleased to announce that the L53-DD1 exploration well encountered an interpreted, combined 26 meters of net oil pay within three separate sandstone reservoirs between a true vertical depth of 960 to 1,125 meters. This interpretation was based on conventional open hole wire line logs and hydrocarbon indications observed while drilling and confirmed with post drill pressure data and oil samples brought to surface from each of the zones. The oil is estimated to be approximately 28 degree API gravity. The sandstone reservoirs are interpreted to be high quality based on wireline log interpretation and high mobility observed while acquiring the pressure data and oil samples across each zone.

Current plans are to immediately appraise the L53-DD1 discovery with the L53-DD2 well that will commence drilling within the next five days targeting the deepest two of the three reservoirs, in a position substantially up dip of the discovery well and be drilled from the same well pad. The L53-DD1 discovery will not commence production until the completion of the L53-DD2 appraisal well due to limited well pad space. During the drilling of L53-DD2, Government of Thailand approval will be sought for a 90 day production test of both wells.

L53-DD1 is a deviated exploration well drilled to a measured depth of 1,373 meters (1,323 meters true vertical depth) located in the northern most portion of the Concession L53 “exploration reserve area”, approximately 28 kilometers north of any existing producing wells within Concession L53 and approximately 5 kilometers south of the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited operated U-Thong oil field located in the adjacent concession.

The L53-DD1 exploration well will fulfill the US$600,000 minimum annual exploration expenditure that is required to retain the approximately 214 square kilometers of “exploration reserve area”, which is all the remaining area of the original Concession 53, outside of existing four production licenses.

The go forward Concession L53 activities will include the drilling of the L53-DD2 appraisal well, applications for 90 day production tests for both L53-DD1 & L53-DD2, compilation and submission of a production license (“PL”) area application that will encompass the discovery area and generation of the technical information to be provided to the Company’s reserve evaluators for inclusion of the L53-DD1 discovery into the year-end 2018 independent reserves evaluation. Past experience has typically seen PL government approval within three to five months of submission, at which time long term (not subject to 90 day production test) production can commence. In addition, work is currently underway utilizing the L53-DD1 well results to better define the hydrocarbon potential in the immediate vicinity of the L53-DD1 oil discovery that would form the basis for any potential future exploration drilling in the area.

Pan Orient is a Calgary, Alberta based oil and gas exploration and production company with operations currently located onshore Thailand, Indonesia and in Western Canada.

This press release contains forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by the terminology used, such as “expect”, “believe”, “estimate”, “should”, “anticipate” and “potential” or other similar wording. Forward-looking information in this press release includes references, express or implied, to drilling plans in Thailand and regulatory approvals. By its very nature, the forward-looking information contained in this press release requires Pan Orient and its management to make assumptions that may not materialize or that may not be accurate. In addition, the forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of Pan Orient, which could cause actual results, expectations, achievements or performance to differ materially. Although Pan Orient believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurances that those expectations will prove to be correct. Pan Orient undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

 

  • Oil & Gas

Myanmar To Auction Off 31 New Oil And Gas Blocks

25 October 2018

 – 

  • Myanmar

On August 30 the Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MoEE) announced it would be opening fresh rounds of bidding for oil and gas blocks in the first half of next year, and there are plans to launch a tender for at least one onshore block before the end of 2018.

If all goes according to plan, the MoEE’s Department of Oil and Gas Planning will offer 18 onshore and 13 offshore blocks.

The bids are aimed at revitalising Myanmar’s energy sector, which has seen activity slowdown in recent years. The last round of exploration and production (E&P) tenders were held under the former government in 2014.

However, of the 31 blocks the MoEE intends to offer, 16 have been awarded in previous tender rounds, and the winning bidders subsequently relinquished their exploration rights. Preliminary testing was conducted on some of the blocks that were handed back by former leaseholders, which may raise doubts over their commercial viability.

A lack of E&P opportunities in recent years, along with the departure of a number of international energy companies from the local market, has been a major contributor to declining foreign direct investment (FDI). In FY 2017/18 the total value of FDI fell from $6.65bn to $5.72bn, according to the Myanmar Investment Commission.

New discovery could fuel investment appetite in offshore fields

Nonetheless, recent finds in the upstream energy segment have brought new opportunities in the country’s offshore fields to the fore.

On September 22 France-headquartered multinational energy company Total reported encouraging results from preliminary testing at the offshore Shwe Yee Htun-2 field, located approximately 100 km north-east of Pathein township. Initial appraisal of the find indicates significant natural gas reserves of commercial viability.

Further testing on the block will be carried out to determine the extent of the deposit, since gas was found in each of the five appraisal wells, officials said.

The Shwe Yee Htun-2 field is part of the larger A6 block that has estimated reserves of up to 3trn cu feet, according to a statement by Total.

Myanmar has 53 onshore and 51 offshore blocks that have been identified as having commercially extractable reserves, and activity is currently under way at 35 onshore and 38 offshore blocks.

Production-sharing contracts revised to attract international investors

Beyond offering new prospects in oil and gas, the government is also looking to lift the requirement that overseas investors partner with a local company.

“It will no longer be mandatory to join up with local firms,” Daw Khin Htay, director at the state-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, said at a press conference in mid-July. “This will instead be made voluntary in the future.”

In the past, the authorities required that oil and gas projects be joint ventures. This was in part to ensure skills and technology transfer to the domestic energy sector, in order to better equip it for future growth. However, the requirement also diluted foreign investors’ holdings and revenue.

Potential leaseholders may also be encouraged by reports that the Department of Oil and Gas Planning is reviewing the terms of production-sharing contracts. According to consultancy Wood Mackenzie, some contracts mandate that the state receive up to 94% of all revenue generated from hydrocarbons projects, which is at the upper end of the international scale. Additionally, the government does not currently share the risk in exploration and development costs.

To this end, stakeholders have called for the government to reduce its share of revenue from oil and gas projects. Although this would lower state receipts from each project, the increased flexibility of energy contracts could help to increase the investment appeal of the new blocks and future offerings. However, this restructuring has yet to actually take place.

  • Renewables

LED Expo Thailand Expands Its Panorama in the Year 2019

25 October 2018

 – 

  • Thailand

ASEAN’S largest show on LED technology & lighting solutions will transform the notion about how LED & light is perceived with LED EXPO THAILAND 2019 + LIGHT ASEAN!

With passing years, LED Expo Thailand has evolved much to touch new heights, offering limitless business opportunities, the organisers have decided to add another feather to the cap by introducing a new chapter, labeled as Light ASEAN in the 7th edition of the unrivalled exhibition.

The 2018 edition of the event witnessed the presence of 243 exhibitors from 12 countries showcasing their products to 12,347 visitors from 47 countries along with 656 business meetings, establishing a multitude of new trade partnerships. Also, the Thailand LED Summit was attended by 938 delegates & iLight Connect International Summit was attended by 100 delegates. The 2019 edition is expected to welcome 250+ exhibitors catering to the sourcing needs of more than 15,000 visitors from all across the world.

The global LED lighting market is set for swift expansion and is expected to reach USD 54.28 billion by 2022; growing at a CAGR of around 13% between 2017 and 2022. Thailand’s LED lighting market accounts for 12% of the total lighting market share with a projected growth rate of CAGR 30% during 2015- 2020.

LED Expo Thailand aims to support and speed up this upswing by providing a dynamic hub for LED/lighting companies, mainly from Southeast Asian countries, to congregate, promote and partner with neighboring LED markets at a niche level.

So, the new Show, christened as LED Expo + Light ASEAN, aimed at bringing forth innovations in the world of illumination on varied fronts based on the rapidly changing applications of lights and lighting products integrated with smart technology & entertainment, etc.

This is beside showcasing LED technology & products, encompassing solar products, LED signages, LED technology for agriculture, etc., thereby adding newer possibilities offering more to explore businesses for both – exhibitors and visitors alike.

LED Expo + Light ASEAN welcomes visitors from varied business spheres including government agencies and state enterprises; architects; lighting industry professionals, industrial estate and manufacturing companies, hotels and resorts to explore the use of LED for various applications in commercial usage.

Whether you are looking to generate new sales leads or aiming to maintain relationships with existing clients, seek local partners, developing new business in key markets is always challenging. With LED Expo Thailand + Light ASEAN 2019, you will be able to maximize your businesses by gaining access to ASEAN markets.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS


This zone highlights high performance Solar LED products, services and technology for housing, commercial and industrial sectors


A special pavilion for new technologies that would bring forth smart lighting innovation for factory, building & street displaying latest innovations & system applications as how technology can play part in making smart cities


It is a conference on LED lighting product & technology steered by the committee of experts. The topics will cover the trends in LED lighting technology, lighting standard, government support policies and design solution


A platform to facilitate the display of innovative and trending LED signage with applications in retail, hospitality and government sectors


A specific zone highlighting high performance PCB technology, products, services and technology

About The Organisers:

MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.
MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. is an international exhibition company with a strong presence of over four decades in the advertising industry, over 20 years in publishing & 16 years in exhibitions. The company has produced more than 100 market-leading trade exhibitions for various segments in addition to publishing various magazines & advertising trade directories of repute. Successful exhibitions are conducted all over India, Dubai, Singapore, Thailand and now in Africa.

IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd.
IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. is the leading exhibition organiser in Thailand. IMPACT organises and manages professional trade and public exhibitions, conferences, meetings and trainings, working hand-in-hand with international trade associations, organisers and corporations across a broad spectrum of industries.

IMPACT creates effective market platforms and offers a comprehensive range of turnkey event management solutions ranging from market research, exhibition and visitor promotion and sales, advertising and promotion, public relations, operation to on-site logistic management for exhibitions and conferences of all sizes and industries. It also specialises in business matching programs.

  • Energy Efficiency

Minister pushes for energy efficiency

25 October 2018

 – 

  • Cambodia

Environment Minister Say Samal yesterday urged people to use energy more efficiently and enjoy benefits such as lower costs and a greener environment.

Mr Samal, who is also chairman of the National Council for Sustainable Development, told participants at a conference on improving energy efficiency in Cambodia that more information on climate change should also be disseminated.

He noted that promoting energy efficiency is one of the main drivers of sustainable economic development.

Mr Samal said that while Cambodia is developing strongly and people are enjoying a higher living standards, energy requirements remain high.

“So, while we are encouraged to invest more in the energy sector and respond to climate change through renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, we also have to consider appropriate solutions to boost energy efficiency to drive more economic growth and lower carbon emissions,” he said.

Mr Samal suggested educating all energy users, including individuals, households, enterprises, communities and society as a whole, to focus on promoting energy efficiency that will enable them to reduce costs and maximise the benefits of sustainable development.

“Enhancing energy efficiency does not mean reducing the growth rate, slowing economic growth or reducing the quality of life of the population,” he noted. “On the contrary, it is essential to ensure sustainable development, resulting in a win-win situation. A win for consumers, businesses, for the environment, in the fight against climate change and for energy security.”

He added that efforts to boost energy efficiency can result in reduced costs for households, businesses and utility companies, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased economic productivity.

Swedish Ambassador Maria Sargren said yesterday that energy efficiency is very important in order to meet Cambodia’s goal of achieving sustainable growth.

“The Swedish government during the past 30 years has made tremendous improvements in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency while achieving economic growth,” she said.

UNDP country director Nick Beresford said it has worked with the Industry Ministry and Mines and Energy Ministry since 2012, under the Sustainable Energy for All scheme to support the government’s energy efficiency priorities.

The one-day conference titled “A Crucial Step towards Sustainable Growth” was organized by NCSD in cooperation with the Swedish government and Cambodia Climate Change Alliance.

A total of 152 participants discussed best practices and tools for promoting energy efficiency.

  • Energy Economy , 
  • Renewables

Local farmers to have easier access to financing

25 October 2018

 – 

  • Malaysia
From left, Paul, Ismawi, Mohamad Taufik and Syed Ibrahim at the signing ceremony while in the back row from left, Jabu, Roland, Abdul Rahman, Uggah and Mohamad Hashim look on.

KUCHING: Investors and farmers will now have easier access to financing in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) area with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) and Agrobank during the Agrofest 2018 today.

The signing of the MoU was to enable potential investors and agricultural entrepreneurs in the three development agencies under Recoda namely Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Highland Development Agency (HDA) and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) with special financing programmes.

It is also to facilitate the development of local agropreneurs to participate in commercial agriculture and the development of the agriculture supply chain in the area.

The MoU was signed between Recoda chief executive officer Datu Ismawi Ismuni and Agrobank chief strategic officer Mohamad Taufik Mahamad Zakaria.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak, Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native and Regional Development and HDA chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

“I am confident that the proposed financing programme by Agrobank will be beneficial in developing entrepreneurs among local people and agricultural communities in Sarawak,” Uggah said at the signing ceremony held at Penview Convention Centre Demak here today.

He also said that the initiative was in line with the state development plan to make Sarawak a high-income and advanced state by 2030.

“Collaboration such as this (between Recoda and Agrobank) is important to support the state government agenda to transform the rural development through dynamic and commercial agricultural activities,” he added.

Agrobank is a development financial institution that was established in 1969 to support the growth of agriculture sector in Malaya by providing comprehensive financing solution for upstream and downstream agriculture activities.

Among the attendance were Recoda investment management division officer-in-charge Paul Porna, Agrobank Sarawak Region director Syed Ibrahim Syed Mohd, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Agrobank board members director Dato Dr Mohamad Hashim Ahmad Tajudin.

  • Renewables

Student saves money to install solar panels at SMARTER Brunei

25 October 2018

 – 

  • Brunei Darussalam

“IT’S a small step, but one step closer to greener Brunei,” said Jerudong International School (JIS) student Sidharth.

A teenager with a passion in comedy, Sidharth accumulated every single dollar he earned from performing comedy shows at various places including India to make a contribution to Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei.

When the money was sufficient to buy a solar panel, he approached President of SMARTER Brunei Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman to express his interest of lighting up two Portacabins at SMARTER Brunei with solar energy.

“We need a young generation like Sidharth,” said Malai Haji Abdullah.

“I am glad that a student in his youth has come forward to help us in such a unique manner. I hope we can make our whole building powered only by green energy in the near future with the help of well-wishers. This will help reduce the burden of electricity bills for SMARTER Brunei to a great extent. Due to this reason, I have engraved this young man’s name on the panel for others to emulate his ingenuity and kindness,” he added.

President of SMARTER Brunei Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman with Jerudong International School (JIS) student Sidharth. – PHOTOS: ISHAN IBRAHIM

SMARTER Brunei is going to power up their soon-to-be-opened Bistro with an extension which will be set up in two weeks’ time.

At the present time, the bakery at SMARTER Brunei Autism Centre for Adults (BACA) Gift Centre in Kampong Sungai Hanching is fitted with Sidharth’s solar panels.

Several companies have been inspired by Sidharth’s action and have stepped forward to contribute towards installing more panels.

“Our dream is to run our SMARTER Brunei centres with 100 per cent solar energy in the future to help reduce the electricity bills and bring us one step closer to a greener Brunei,” Malai Haji Abdullah added.

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ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is an intergovernmental organisation within ASEAN structure that represents the 10 ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) interests in the energy sector.

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