(EnergyAsia, September 13) — Malaysia will play a key role in developing renewable energy technology and use in Southeast Asia under a regional programme to start next year. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Jamaludin Jarjis said Malaysia has been chosen to lead one of the four flagship programmes under the Asean Plan of Action...
(EnergyAsia, September 13) — The world economy is facing increasing risks from high fuel prices and a cooling US housing market, making the policy environment has much more challenging, said Rodrigo de Rato, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In a speech at OPEC’s Third Annual Conference in Vienna, Austria this week, he...
(EnergyAsia, September 13) — The Philippine economy will grow 5.4% in 2006 supported by the strong performance of the agricultural sector and exports, according to a major report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The forecast is up from 5% growth anticipated in April. The outlook for 2007 growth is unchanged at 5.3%. “The...
(EnergyAsia, September 13) — Singapore-listed ASL Marine Holdings Ltd said its wholly-owned subsidiary, ASL Shipyard Pte Ltd, has secured new shipbuilding contracts worth a total of S$46.5 million for the construction of two emergency response and rescue vessels, and one anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel. The company said that revenue from these new...
(EnergyAsia, September 13) — The Sri Lankan army could be headed for a clash with Tamil Tiger separatists in an area in the Jaffna peninsula where an oil storage terminal, a Japanese flour mill and a cement factory are located. Local media reports said Sri Lankan army troops are advancing towards Elephant Pass despite...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — Vietnam’s Industry Ministry said it plans to invest 1.1 trillion dong in building mini hydro power plants in the country’s remote border areas over the next five years. (US$1=16,000 dong). The dams will be built in the northern border provinces of Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Lang Son...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — Australia’s Advanced Biodiesel Group (ABG) has ventured into Canada with an equal joint venture agreement with a US-based private equity firm, to build and operate three new biodiesel plants in North America worth up to US$100 million. ABG North America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABG Australia, and the unnamed investment firm...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — The rapid emergence of the biofuels business has created a new market for companies providing testing, inspection and survey services. In Singapore and Malaysia, biodiesel companies have been submitting blends for tests even before the start-up of their plants, said Intertek Caleb Brett’s vice president for Asia Marc Hoffer and Singapore...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — Canada’s University of Waterloo said it has joined an international research network launched recently in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which seeks to develop alternative technologies for advanced energy and environmental solutions. The Masdar Research Network will connect programmes from half a dozen universities and institutes in Asia, Europe and...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) said it has tied up with Pune-based Cummins India Ltd (CIL), a manufacturer of diesel and gas engines for power generation, to commercialise biomass gasification technology. The two organisations will continue their two-year old collaboration in pursuing integrated development and release of power generation systems...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — Indian upstream company ONGC said it has reewed gas supply agreements with some of its direct consumers including Philips India, Crompton Greaves and Prime Ceramicsat Ankleshwar and Hotel Janpath at Vadodara. The agreements valid till March 31, 2007 are for the allocated quantities at government-set rates. ONGC said that the...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — Russia’s largest oil producer, Lukoil, said it will invest $100 billion over the next decade to boost crude production and expand refining capacity, including possible foreign acquisitions. The energy giant, already among the world’s largest, plans to double crude oil production from 1.8 million barrels a day now, it said...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — India is ready to extend financial assistance for Nepal to build a hydropower project with a capacity of 100 to 150 MW. “We are prepared to consider providing support, through an appropriate financial model, for the development of a project in the range of 100 – 150 MW for Nepal’s own...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — Orb Energy, a newly established solar energy company based in Singapore, said that it has signed a landmark deal with a group of cleantech investors. The company is now fully funded and will begin delivery of solar energy systems in India by October. Orb said it will provide solar systems for...
(EnergyAsia, September 12) — The Sri Lankan government has approved plans to revive a dormant plan to build four hydropower plants capacity as part of a wider programme to supply electricity to 90% of the population by 2010. The Cabinet has instructed state utility Ceylon Electricity Board to proceed to develop the four projects scattered...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — Two billion households worldwide could realistically be powered by solar energy by 2025, according to a joint report launched by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and Greenpeace. The report concludes that thanks to advances in technology, increasing competition and investment in production facilities, solar power has now become a serious...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — The Australian government is providing a A$11 million funding to provide renewable energy to 77 small remote indigenous communities over the next two years. (US$1=A$1.33). The fund for the ‘Bushlight Programme’ was recently announced by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, and the Minister for the Environment and Heritage,...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — World ethanol production will exceed 15 billion gallons next year, with the US edging out Brazil as the leading producer, according to a biofuels specialist publication. In its “Biofuels World Markets and Projects”, the McIlvaine Company said US production would reach 75 billion gallons per year or five times the...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — The World Bank has called on the “international community” to pay greater attention to climate issues and threats, and to integrate these risks into development strategies. In a special report, “Managing Climate Risk-Integrating Adaptation into World Bank Group Operations”, the bank said climate strategies are needed to safeguard economic growth...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — A huge hidden cost of China’s recent economic prosperity has come to light with the publication of the country’s first Gross Domestic Product figure taking into account environmental degradation and pollution. In a landmark report, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said pollution...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — Suzlon Wind Energy Corporation (SWECO), a subsidiary of India’s Suzlon Energy Limited, said it has signed another 105-megawatt deal with Edison Mission Group (EMG), for 50 units of Suzlon’s S88Ð2.1 MW wind turbine. Delivery of the wind turbines is expected to begin in mid-2007. Upon completion, EMG will hold more than...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — The following is a speech by Abdul Rashid Mohamad Isa, group CEO and President of Malaysia’s KIC Group of Companies, and the executive chairman of Asia Petroleum Hub Sdn Bhd, in Singapore on September 4. The event heralding the development of an international petroleum storage and trading hub off the...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has set up a special group to look at business opportunities in the biofuels sector. Officials said IOC could enter the sector by buying biodiesel from a producer and blending the product, or it could set up its own plantation to produce oil-bearing crops. The...
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — Two Singapore-based upstream support services companies, KS Energy Services Limited and Ezra Holdings, have incorporated three equal joint venture companies, Casadilla Group Pte Ltd, New Strong Group Ltd and United Oilfield Services Pte Ltd. The companies were was formed to acquire, own and operate a new self-propelled offshore jack-up rig....
(EnergyAsia, September 11) — India is stepping up efforts to import electricity from neighbouring countries Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Bhutan, which has 30,000 megawatt (MW) of hydropower capacity, is already exporting electricity to Indian from its Tala, Chukha and Kurichhu projects. Nepal, with 83,000MW of hydropower potential, is discussing with India the...