technologies to turn non-edible plants, twigs, wood, leaves and agricultural wastes into biofuels, offering opportunities for new businesses. The country has the resources and the land to grow large volumes of non-food crops, said researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CISRO). The key advantage of these new lignocellulose-based biofuels technologies is that...

biodiesel to markets in the US and Europe. The company’s 100,000-tonne-per-year biodiesel plant in Kakinada uses non-edible oils and fatty acids from vegetable as feedstock to make its biodiesel. Another major producer, Cleancities Biodiesel, is planning to start exporting biodiesel to the US and Europe from its new 250,000-tonne-per-year plant at Visakhapatnam. The Indian government...

many green energy projects, thus undercutting the fight against global warming. Until recently, investors around the world had been pouring billions of dollars into green energy. In 2007 alone, US investors pumped some US$2.2 billion into the sector, up 45% from 2006.   However, with the worsening credit crisis, project promoters are struggling to raise...

and energy corridor” project, said the country’s Petroleum Ministry.   The ministry said the bank could contribute up to US$2.25 billion to help develop Pakistan’s oil and gas infrastructure to serve South and Central Asia including the hydrocarbon-rich states of Turkmenistan and Iran. The projects would include an oil terminal at Gwadar Port as well...

district port collector Edward Baltazar.   Mr Baltazar took part in a recent raid on an oil depot that was allegedly involved in oil smuggling.  However, authorities said he had been under suspension for alleged extortion and had no business in taking part in the raid.  The Philippine’s Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) recently raided and...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — The Philippines ranks 13th in the world in a biofuels attractiveness index recently developed by consultants Ernst & Young. The Philippines is seen as an attractive investment destination for biofuels because of Manila’s support in allocating farmland for the cultivation of feedstock crops, the consultants said. Brazil and the US...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — Siemens said its Energy Service Division has been awarded a contract to provide long-term maintenance services for the Ca Mau combined cycle power plant (CCPP) in Vietnam. The contract covers four SGT5-4000F gas turbines, two steam turbines and six generators, which Siemens installed in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The contract...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — The solar energy boom is not all good news for those advocating the environmental cause. China, the hub for production of much of the equipment and parts that produce energy from the sun, is struggling to deal with the side effects of toxic by-products from polysilicon manufacturing. Polysilicon is the...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — Australia’s AGL Energy Limited (AGL) said it has executed sale and purchase agreements (SPA) for all its oil and gas exploration and production interests in Papua New Guinea (PNG), which include a 3.6% interest in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. AGL said it will net around A$1.1 billion from...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — A water utility in Philippines’ Negros province is planning to invest 200 million peso in a 100-kilowatt hydropower plant that would also serve up clean water for residents in Sagay city. (US$1=50 peso). Bruce Sharp, a director of Australia’s Burnell Research Laboratory, which is advising the utility, said the project...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — New Zealand’s only refining company said it expects to make after-tax net profit of NZ$115 and $125 million for the financial year ending December 31 2008. (US$1=NZ$1.6). New Zealand Refining Company said changes in throughput and the US$-NZ$ exchange rate will also impact final results. The New Zealand Refining Company’s...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — India’s diversified business group ITC said it has started up a 14 MW wind power plant in Tamil Nadu state. It is using the power from the Rs900 million plant to support its packaging and printing businesses in Chennai city. (US$1=Rs48). ITC said it will register the project as a...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — The UN’s “World Food Day” last month focused on the pressing need for the world to adapt to climate change. But even before “climate change” became a political concern, the poor have been unable to deal with “climate” such as drought, storms and flooding – as a result of counterproductive...

(EnergyAsia, November 5, Wednesday) — Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has agreed to team up with E.ON and DONG Energy to invest in the giant London Array offshore windpower project. Masdar has purchased 40% of E.ON’s 50% stake, giving it a 20% stake in the project. Denmark’s DONG Energy owns the other half. The proposed wind farm,...

active Wall Street firms, oil prices could test further lows after briefly breaking US$60 a barrel in late October. Oil’s decline has been dramatic, coming off its peak of more than $147 per barrel in early July before the onslaught of bearish news took control of the world’s major economies. With no end in sight...

20% in 2009 to help make the country’s power sector more attractive to investors. Up till now, Hanoi has kept a tight lid on state-controlled electricity prices in a bid to contain inflation. Vietnam’s electricity prices are much lower than those in neighbouring countries. While this has benefitted consumers, it has also deterred investors into...

technical and specialised skill training centre of Singapore’s Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited, has enhanced its capacity to 3,500 training places per year with its new facilities in Shipyard Road. The centre will be a one-stop training facility where employees and subcontractors can register for courses, undergo training, receive certification and apply for relevant trade...

joint venture of Clough AMEC has been awarded a contract by Chevron Australia Pty Ltd to provide engineering services for its oil production facilities at Barrow Island and Thevenard Island. The facilities are located offshore Western Australia, about 1,600 km north of Perth. Clough AMEC did not disclose the contract’s value. The scope of work...

Australia’s Queensland Gas Company Limited (QGC) in an all-cash deal valuing the company at A$5.75 per share. The offer price represents an 80% premium to QGC’s closing price of A$3.20 on October 23, the last full day of trading in QGC shares prior to the two companies’ joint announcement on October 28. The offer price...

vertically integrated photovoltaic (PV) product manufacturer, said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with TÜV Rheinland (Shanghai) Co Ltd to form a strategic partnership covering a range of quality control initiatives. Under the proposed strategic partnership, TÜV Rheinland would conduct periodic factory inspections to review production, testing and calibration procedures and assist Yingli Green...

developing countries remain at risk through 2009 as a result of this year’s increases in food and fuel prices. The IMF’s updated assessment shows that the impact of food and fuel price increases on developing countries, far from diminishing, has continued to mount since its previous report last June. As of mid-September, oil prices were...

the world’s leading 250 energy companies at its 3rd annual Asia Leadership Awards dinner in Singapore. On the side, Platts senior editorial director Dave Ernsberger spoke to EnergyAsia on the state of the world oil markets today. How would you describe the mood of the oil traders at the event given the volatility of the...

China unit from January 1. The company said Mr Zhu has significant experience in leading and developing industrial business operations He last worked as country manager for Eaton Truck & Bus Components in Shanghai, a position he has held since 2005.   Mr Zhu will replace Clas-Eirik Strand, who will retire on February 28, 2009,...

between the US and China for access to oil, minerals and other raw materials. Beset by financial and economic problems, and its disastrous war in Iraq, the US has watched as China has succeeded in developing an influential political and economic in Africa. Beijing has also firmed up trade, military and cultural ties with African...