JAPAN: Sanyo expands solar business, targets ‘next generation’ solar cells’

(EnergyAsia, June 28) — Japan’s Sanyo Electric Co Ltd, a world leader in photovoltaic technology, said it is embarking on a major expansion into the solar business in response to the fast expanding photovoltaic market. The world’s fourth largest solar cell maker said it aims to capture top spot, tripling its solar revenue to 180...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

INDONESIA: Serica Energy plans to develop Kambuna oil and gas field

(EnergyAsia, June 28) — UK’s Serica Energy has disclosed that it plans to develop the Kambuna field located off the coast of Indonesia’s North Sumatra island.   Chairman Antony Craven Walker said the board has agreed to sanction Kambuna’s development. Serica, the operator with a 65% interest, plans to move into the production phase.  ...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

INDIA: Saudi JV company wins $22.5 million in contracts to supply pipe systems for oil refineries, p

(EnergyAsia, June 28) — An engineering joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s Amiantit Company’s and India’s Goa-based Salgaocar Group has won a total of $22.5 million in contracts to supply pipe systems for oil refineries, power projects and tank systems for petroleum retail outlets in India.   Amiantit Fiberglass Industries India Limited (AFIIL) is forecasting a...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

COMPANY: Nanosolar secures $100 million in funding to mass produce breakthrough PV

(EnergyAsia, Jun 28) — Nanosolar Inc, a US-based world leader in solar power innovation, said it has obtained $100 million in funding to take its breakthrough photovoltaic (PV) solar electricity technology into volume production. The company said it has completed a Series C Preferred Stock financing in the amount of more than $75 million, which,...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

EMISSIONS: Greenpeace criticises Germany, Netherlands, UK governments for failing to meet CO2 reduct

(EnergyAsia, June 28) — Environmental lobby group Greenpeace has criticised the governments of Germany, the Netherlands and the UK for their failure to mandate serious cuts in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from their industrial and energy sectors.    A new report, “Increasing the Ambition of EU Emissions Trading”, assesses the three European countries’ National Allocation...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

NEW ZEALAND: State to pay NZ$150 million to boost oil stockpile

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — The New Zealand government has decided that it, rather than motorists and oil companies, will pay an estimated NZ$150 million to boost the country’s crude oil stockpile to 90 days of consumption in line with international standard. (US$1=NZ$1.6). After more than a year of debate over who should bear the cost,...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

RUSSIA: Consultant says oil exports starting to decline

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — US energy consultant ESAI said that one of the most important changes in the Atlantic Basin oil markets is the largely ignored gradual decline in Russian oil exports.             “While the Russian oil export data have to be taken with a grain of salt, the preliminary numbers from the Energy Ministry...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

ASIA: ADB to launch second phase of energy efficiency initiative

(EnergyAsia, June 27) —Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it will begin the second phase of its Energy Efficiency Initiative (EEI) in the second half of this year, under which around US$1 billion a year is planned for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The first phase of the EEI, which established a rationale and prepared...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

INDIA: Shell unit to help upgrade refineries

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — The Indian government has hired Shell Global Solutions, a unit of the Anglo Dutch company, to help some of the country’s oil refineries improve operations. The objective is to help the refiners reduce costs by as much as US$360 million.             The programme will cover seven refineries belonging to Chennai Petroleum...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

PAKISTAN: Plan with Kuwait to jointly build oil refinery, oil storage at Port Qasim

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — Pakistan and Kuwait last week signed several agreements to promote bilateral economic relations including plans for the construction of a joint oil refinery and oil storage facilities in Pakistan’s Port Qasim. The agreements were signed during the visit to Pakistan by a delegation led by Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

SINGAPORE: Membership in Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — Singapore has joined the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), making it the 32nd country to become a partner of the international alliance.  The National Environment Agency (NEA) said it will represent Singapore in the REEEP.   REEEP is an international alliance of governments, NGOs and businesses dedicated to accelerating...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

CHINA: Cordys software key in development of hydro power capability

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — Dutch software company Cordys SOA said its product and services will help ensure the roll out of 20 new hydro power plants in China over the next 15 years. The development of these plants will be achieved with maximum business and IT efficiency, said San Diego-based Cordys.   The company is...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

SINGAPORE: Advanced Holdings to push ahead with clean fuel technology business

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — Singapore’s Advanced Holdings Ltd said it has launched new initiatives to further develop its clean fuels businesses.   It has incorporated two wholly owned subsidiaries, Advanced Clean Fuels Pte Ltd in Singapore, and Advanced Biofuel Technologies Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, and signed an agreement with E.I. Du Pont De Nemours to...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

UAE: Talks with Korea on oil storage and logistics

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — The UAE and South Korea have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding to step up energy cooperation which could lead to joint investments in oil storage and logistics, petrochemicals and business services.   UAE energy minister Mohammed Al Hamli said his government has received a formal proposal by Korea for the...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

CHINA: Beijing rejects Chevron’s retail entry

(EnergyAsia, June 27) — This seems like a case of revenge. Chevron, which led a successful high-profile fight to keep a Chinese oil company taking over US independent company Unocal last year, has been denied entry into China’s fuel retail business.             The US major had hoped its tie-up with state-owned CITIC Resources Holdings would...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

CHINA: Middle East investors told to look at oil storage opportunities

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — A US-based energy consultant said Middle East companies should consider playing a role in China’s booming oil storage industry. China is in the midst of building up its oil storage and logistics capacity to boost its energy security, and is courting investments from Arab world.   Huaibin Lu, president of 3E...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

SINGAPORE: Japan’s MHI to establish Southeast Asian power systems subsidiary

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) said it will establish a marketing and information gathering base in Singapore on July 1 in a quest to attract expanded orders overseas for its gas-turbine combined-cycle (GTCC) plants and other power generation equipment. Through the new base, MHI aims to further enhance its customer-tailored...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

INDIA: Petroleum Ministry names four part-time directors to ONGC board

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — In a sign of tighter government control over the energy sector, India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has named four new directors to the board of upstream company ONGC. The new directors are R.K.Pachauri, director general of research group TERI, V.P.Singh, former chairman of state IFCI, P.K.Choudhury, managing director of...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

JAPAN: Nippon Oil, Japan Energy in broad energy alliance

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — Two of Japan’s largest oil companies, Nippon Oil and Japan Energy Corp, have announced a broad energy tie-up that includes joint efforts in fuel cell technology development and sharing of oil refining, storage and petrochemical facilities. Nippon Oil Corp, Japan’s biggest oil wholesaler, and Japan Energy Corp, the sixth-largest, said they...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

ASIA: ADB focusing on Asia’s energy needs, climate change issues

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a series of consultations that will take place across the region to assess the relevance and future direction of its policy on energy. The launch took place on the second day of last week’s ADB’s Clean Energy Week where major players in the Asian...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

JAPAN: MHI to produce fuel tank domes for H-IIB rocket

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) said it has established a proprietary technology enabling the manufacture, as a single piece, of the upper and lower domes of liquid- oxygen and liquid-hydrogen fuel tanks for the country’s next-generation flagship rocket. The H-IIB is scheduled for launch in fiscal 2008. The company said...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

AUSTRALIA: Oil products stockpile idea gains ground

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — There is growing pressure on Australia to build an emergency oil products stockpile as the country’s status as a net oil importer deepens.             The idea was elevated to full public discussion by International Energy Agency (IEA) boss Claude Mandil at a conference last month after years of behind-the-scene talks by...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

NEW ZEALAND: Transport Ministry says LPG tax refunds under review

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport and Land said it is reviewing the refund of fuel excise duty being claimed for liquid petroleum gas (LPG). LPG vehicles licensed for road user charges and LPG-fuelled commercial vehicles are eligible for refunds. Robin Dunlop, Secretary for Transport, said that early indications from a review...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

CHINA: Doubts greet Shanghai’s plan to launch fuel oil spot market

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — Traders are skeptical of China’s hopes for a thriving spot fuel oil market in Shanghai which is expected to start up on August 8. The Shanghai Petroleum Exchange (SPEX) said it has invited traders to start bidding on physical fuel oil contracts for 180 CST and 380 CST fuel oil The...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register

CHINA: South Africa’s Sasol lands landmark coal-to-liquids deals worth US$10 billion

(EnergyAsia, June 26) — South Africa’s Sasol has signed two major agreements with Chinese companies to investigate the building of coal-to-liquids (CTL) projects in China. Last week, Sasol said it signed a co-operation agreement with a consortium led by Shenhua Corporation to proceed with the second stage of feasibility studies to determine the viability of...

This article is for Subscriber members only.
Log In Register