(EnergyAsia, May 15, Friday) — Singapore has launched a long-term plan to improve the energy efficiency of at least 80% of its buildings, yielding savings totalling S$1.6 billion. (US$1=S$1.45). Under plan to 2030 set out by the Inter-ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development, the government will give out cash incentives worth S$100 million to building owners....

(EnergyAsia, May 15, Friday) — South Korean firms are planning to set up two biofuels plants in the Philippines, according to Philippine government officials. he unidentified companies will each invest around 4-billion pesos in the plants in General Santos city, and in Tarlac province. (US$1=47 peso). The proposed project in General Santos City will be...

(EnergyAsia, May 15, Friday) — The South Korean government has launched an ambitious 365-billion-won plan to develop and cultivate “seaweed forests” as a biomass feedstock. (US$1=1,260 won). Under the 10-year project, about 35,000 hectares off the country’s east and south coast will be set aside for the cultivation of seaweed forests. The Ministry for Food,...

(EnergyAsia, May 15, Friday) — Work on an offshore wind farm project in China’s Shanghai city is progressing as planned. The city said the first turbine was installed in March. When completed, the wind farm will have 34 generators, each with a capacity of 3,000 kilowatt (KW), making it the biggest offshore wind farm in...

(EnergyAsia, May 15, Friday) — Wärtsilä, a leading supplier of flexible power plants and services to the decentralised power generation market, said it has been awarded operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts by two manufacturing companies in the Philippines. The contracts were signed during the last quarter. CEMEX Strategic Philippines Inc, a subsidiary of building materials...

(EnergyAsia, May 15, Friday) — Hong Kong-listed China Resources Power Holdings Co Ltd has announced it has begun work on RMBMB1 billion worth of wind power projects in Fuxin city in China’s northeast Liaoning province. (US$1=RMB6.8). The company said the wind farms will consist of wind power generation sets of 300 to 500MW to be...

(EnergyAsia, May 15, Friday) — Nasdaq-listed Canadian Solar Inc said it has signed an agreement for a municipal government to fund local solar projects in a Chinese city. The Suzhou New District government has agreed to provide RMB7.5 million in matching funds in conjunction with the subsidies provided by China’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry...

(EnergyAsia, May 12, Thursday) — China aims to have 100 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity in place by 2020, up sharply from the previous target of 30 GW.According to a recent report by industry group Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) China is on track to soon become the world’s biggest market for wind power.China...

(EnergyAsia, May 14, Thursday) — A senior executive at biofuels firm D1 Oils has dismissed hopes that the jatropha crop could be a ‘miracle’ biodiesel crop that could flourish in poor conditions and provide farmers a steady stream of income. Oil-rich jatropha, which can be grown in semi-arid areas, has often been hailed as a...

 (EnergyAsia, May 14, Thursday) — The US and China have emerged as different threats to Europe as the world’s leader in the solar energy industry, said consultant Frost & Sullivan. In a new report, it said China has now cemented its role as a global solar manufacturing hub, while the US is becoming increasingly influential in...

(EnergyAsia, May 14, Thursday) — Australia will attract more than A$$20 billion of new clean energy investments in the coming years following the approval of the Federal Government’s renewable energy target (RET), said the Clean Energy Council (CEC). US$1=A$1.4). CEC chief executive Matthew Warren said the endorsement by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) will...

(EnergyAsia, May 14, Thursday) — China is setting its sights on becoming a world leader in the production and market for electric cars and buses over the next three years. To kick-start its long-term ambitious plan, the government is offering subsidies in selected cities, and has ordered the national state electricity grid to build recharging...

(EnergyAsia, May 14, Thursday) — Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have agreed to distribute their natural gas through Russia’s proposed Central Asia-Center pipeline system, dealing a blow to western Europe’s competing Nabucco network. This week, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev committed his government’s support to the Russian initiative, joining Turkmenistan, with Uzbekistan also showing interest. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan...

(EnergyAsia, May 14, Thursday) — German system integrator Payom Solar AG said it has signed a framework sales contract to obtain 20 megawatts of modules from China’s Yingli Green Energy at a reduced cost. Payom executive Jörg Truelsen said that the supply of the modules will enable the company to compete better. In March, Payom,...

(EnergyAsia, May 14, Thursday) — Greenpeace has accused Finland’s Neste Oil of contributing to “massive” rainforest destruction and climate change in its drive to become a leading biodiesel producer. Earlier this week, 32 activists from the environmental group demonstrated outside Neste’s palm oil-based diesel refinery in Porvoo, Finland. They hung a banner with the text...

(EnergyAsia, May 13, Wednesday) — Canadian Solar said it has signed a new sales agreement with Topinfrasolar, a South Korean systems integrator, which will expand the relationship and supply agreement by an additional 5 MW. The contracted deliveries may include both regular and e-modules and stipulates deliveries for Korean installations in 2009. The two companies...

(EnergyAsia, May 13, Wednesday) — China aims to have 20 billion watts of wind power capacity in place by 2020. This would easily be doubled the government’s earlier target for wind power capacity. As at the end of 2008, China’s wind power capacity was 12 billion watts. Generous government incentives helped spur investment in the...

(EnergyAsia, May 13, Wednesday) — China plans to build “at least” 20 new hydroelectric projects along the mighty Yangtze River by 2020. Planners estimate that at present, only 36% of the river’s hydropower potential is being used. As part of its long-term plans to boost the use of renewable energy, the Chinese government wants to...

(EnergyAsia, May 13, Wednesday) — Backed by famed US investor Warren Buffet, China’s vehicle battery maker BYD plans to export its products. The company has also begun talks with foreign partners to develop electric car projects. However, its executives have ruled out selling its technology. The fledgling market for electric vehicles in China and other...

(EnergyAsia, May 13, Wednesday) — US science company DuPont has opened a $25 million photovoltaic (PV) technical centre at its China global R&D Center in Shanghai to support the development of material for the fast growing crystalline silicon PV solar energy market. DuPont said it expects to nearly triple its annual photovoltaic sales to more...

(EnergyAsia, May 13, Wednesday) — Covanta Energy Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYSE-listed Covanta Holding Corp, said it has acquired an 85% stake in a joint venture with Jiangzu Taineng Group Ltd to build a new waste-to-energy plant to serve the cities of Taixing and Yangzhong in China. The US$30 million project...

(EnergyAsia, May 13, Wednesday) — Singapore-listed Asia Power Corporation Limited said a subsidiary has received approval from China’s National Energy Administration to build more efficient and environmentally-friendly power generating units and close down small thermal power units in Heilongjiang. Its 51%-owned subsidiary, Heilongjiang Asiapower Xinbao Heating & Power Co Ltd, will soon begin an economic...

(EnergyAsia, May 13, Wednesday) — While  most  governments are focused  on  dealing  with  the  worst economic crisis in many decades, a UN agency said Asia should be just as wary about the threats posed by food and fuel  price volatility,  and  climate  change. With almost two thirds of the world’s poor and half of its...

(EnergyAsia, May 12, Tuesday) — Taiwan’s new president Ma Ying-jeou has called on lawmakers to pass an integrated law this year to support renewable energy projects. Addressing a recent energy forum in Taipei, Mr Ma said Taiwan is committed to reducing both energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The Taiwanese government has set a...