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Category: Asia

An Australian solar cell and Thai energy authority form joint business for solar power plant development

May 4th, 2009 | Posted in Solar

During the recent Australia roadshow, where Thai Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungrueng visited Australia and discussed potential cooperation areas and deals with the Australian authorities and businesses, among which a joint venture was spawned between EGAT and an Australian solar cell company, for the development of a 63 MW solar power plant in Thailand. This would be one of the first mega renewable energy projects on the Thai market. The deal is rumored to be about Bt10 billion (about US$1.5 billion). Australian associations of investors expressed interest in investing and developing alternative energy projects with Thai companies.

This is a significant development, that could push Thailand and its energy economy in the direction of clean affordable energy. The country has solar energy potential, and offshore wind to an extent. Development of these energy sources will help the country answer the growing demand for energy, as well as bring jobs to the developing economy.

100 MW of wind power coming to Madhya Pradesh

April 28th, 2009 | Posted in Wind

nhpc NHPC, India's largest hydroelectric power producer, is making a move into wind power generation. The company is going to set up a 100 MW wind farm in Kukroo, Madhya Pradesh, central India. Apart from wind power, NHPC is also planning to enter the solar and other non-conventional energy sources market.

NHPC is entering the wind power market through subsidiary Narmada Hydro-electric Development Corporation (NHDC), which is a joint venture between NHPC and the Madhya Pradesh government, with NHPC holding 51% stake.

The Center for Wind Power Technology (CWPT) had invited proposals for establishing a wind energy project in Madhya Pradesh. The investment, however, is in its initial stages and hasn't been finally decided upon yet.

Suzlon considering Ontario as new location for manufacturing operations

April 28th, 2009 | Posted in

suzlon1 Suzlon's decision on whether to enter the market in Canada may come soon. The company is thinking about the Ontario market as a potential home for new manufacturing operation. Suzlon has identified the right combination of policies, infrastructure and local activity in Canada as stimulating enough for the company to consider opening manufacturing operations there. Ontario's Green Energy Act is a very strong initiative which helps differentiate the province from other areas in North America, according to Tulsi Tanti, chairman and CEO of Suzlon Energy Ltd.

Suzlon is considering three factors while thinking about the new location for manufacturing – skilled manpower, logistical costs and government tax support.

Hanwei Energy announced intent to supply wind power equipment to China

April 24th, 2009 | Posted in Wind

hanwei Hanwei Energy, the Canadian energy services corporation, has announced letter of intent to supply wind power equipment to Baotou Development and Reform Commission (BDRC) and Beijing Kunding Xunlei New Energy Technology Ltd. to provide wind turbines and blades for a 400 MW wind farm. The wind farm is located about 100 km from Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China, which is part of China's big long-term project to bring renewable source electricity to the otherwise underdeveloped region.

The letter of intent is a non-binding document, but it is expected the involved parties will cooperate on the development of the 400 MW wind farm under terms and conditions which include:

- Hanwei will establish a wind power subsidiary in Baotou, together with a manufacturing facility, guaranteeing 200 turbines and blade sets per year; the facility is to be completed by 2010, with an increase to 500 sets and turbines a year, to be established by the end of 2012

- Hanwei is to be granted by Beijing Kunding the rights to develop and operate a 400 MW wind farm, with Hanwei supplying the blades and turbines

One of the obstacles for taking the letter of intent further is BRDC and Beijing Kunding's request that Hanwei delivers 2 to 3 MW turbines. Nevertheless, the proposed collaboration, should it be formalized eventually, is a significant project for Hanwei. The Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region is said to poses about 30% of total wind power potential in China.

South Korea getting foreign renewable energy investments

April 22nd, 2009 | Posted in Solar Wind

South Korea will receive US$ 170 million in investments from foreign companies. The investments will be used for renewable energy development, according to the Energy Ministry. The country has signed a memorandum of understanding with European firms totalling about US$ 200 million, and 170 million of that sum will be used for renewable energy development. Vestas will invest about US$ 50 million on building a wind farm and Austrian SSF will invest US$ 120 million into a research and development center for solar power plant parts. Swiss company Gudel will invest US$ 10 million for development of facilities for producing solar power modules, while German Solvay SA will invest US$ 20 million in next-gen Li-ion battery parts.

The effort is aiming to transfer developed renewable energy technologies to South Korea.

New hydropower projects on the Yangtze River

April 22nd, 2009 | Posted in Hydro

Yangtze River hydro potential

In the coming decades China plans to develop more hydropower plants along the Yangtze, to tap into the vast hydro energy potential of the mighty river. Theoretically, the river has a mind boggling potential of about 540 Tw! Even though the development of new cascade hydropower plants is part of a strategic development plan, there are findings that warn the country's energy development authorities to take things easy. The existing Three Gorges Dam's reservoirs seem to have dropped in water quality, endangering the river's fish resources. Many researchers, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, are recommending a careful study and analysis approach before going forward with additional hydropower projects.

By 2020, some 50% of the hydropower resources along China's longest river are expected to be utilized. By 2030 this ratio will increase to 60%, according to the Yangtze Water Resources Committee. Only about 36% of the river's energy resources have been exploited until now. National Energy Administration is aiming to increase installed hydropower capacity to about 300 Tw by 2020. At the end of last year, the installed capacity reached 172 TW of power.

Vietnam to get first solar production plant

April 22nd, 2009 | Posted in Solar

Typical solar power usage in Vietnam. (Image credit: JessieLou on Flickr)

Vietnam will open their first solar cell plant on April 27, this year. Mat Troi, a solar energy joint-stock company is behind the project. The new plant is located in the Duc Hoa Ha Industrial Zone, in the Long An Province. The investment in the plant has been made by Mat Troi, the Ho Chi Minh City Energy Saving Center, and Tan Ky Nguyen Trade, Technique and Services Company Ltd.

Main products to come out of the plant will be solar cells and panels with capacities from 80 Wp to 165 Wp, and an average life expectancy of about 30 years. All product will meet European standards, but most importantyl they will be sold at prices about 35% lower than similar products already available on the market. According to a report from the officials, some 40% of production will supply the domestic solar market, while the rest will be exported to Europe and North America. Aside from solar cells and panels, the new production plant will also make and assemble solar water heating systems, compact light bulbs and other energy saving devices.

Energy Development Corporation enters Indonesian geothermal market

April 21st, 2009 | Posted in Geothermal

energydevcorp We just covered the efforts of the Indonesian government on creating conditions for geothermal power development, and we already have a major player entering the arena. Energy Development Corporation, a Philippines based company specializing in geothermal power, has opened a representative branch in Indonesia in order to strengthen the company's presence on that market. Employees of the new branch will have a task to identify and explore possibilities for geothermal projects in Indonesia.

According to Paul Aquino, EDC CEO and chairman, the rules have changed – foreign corporations are allowed access to geothermal resources in Indonesia now, and EDC is sending teams to explore possibilities.

EDC is the largest geothermal power producer in the Phillippines, and will now have a chance to expand its operations to tap into a very large geothermal potential in Indonesia, estimated to be about 20 GW of geothermal power. Four potential sites for geothermal power plants have already been identified, and there are hundreds more available.

Sri Lanka gets loans for development of electric projects

April 17th, 2009 | Posted in Hydro

Sri Lanka wind energy resource map. (Image credit: NREL)

The government of Sri Lanka will be getting a US$ 155 million loan, from the Asian Development Bank, for the improvement and expansion of Sri Lanka's electricity production. Most of the activities will be focused on underdeveloped areas and areas negulfed in conflict. The loan was approved in order to support energy efficienct, the development of renewable energy and increase connections to the rural areas.

There is a growing demand for electricity in Sri Lanka, resulting in a gap between electricity production and demand. About 20% of homes in Sri Lanka still don't have electricity. The ten year development plan, among other things, includes modernization and upgrades on the country's transmission system, but also an addition of about 200 MW of hydro power to the national grid, while encouraging private investments. As a result of the 155 million loan, it is estimated the government is going to connect at least 60,000 homes to the electric grid.

Sri Lanka already has hydro power plants, mostly micro and mini hydro facilities. There had been bigger hydropower projects, some of which have ended up to be failures due to poor planning and execution, like the Kothmale, whose accumulation eventually dried up. Micro hydropower projects exist, but are limited to supplying smaller local communities with electricity.

It would be interesting to point out that Sri Lanka has other renewable energy potentials, like wind, solar and marine power. These resources, not mentioned in the loan, could also be interesting for the country's energy generation expansion. Maybe future private investments could lead the country out of the current energy crisis.

Vestas introduces new wind turbine tailored for the Chinese market

April 16th, 2009 | Posted in Wind

Image credit: Vestas

The new turbine, V60-850 kW, has been especially designed to be used in China. It is the latest generation of the proven Vestas KW series, and with some improvements tailored to answer the specific demands of the Chines wind and weather conditions. Some of the innovations include wind turbine blade design and temperature controly systems. The V60 is designed to be most effective in low to medium winds, the wind classes mostly represented in Chinas onshore wind power potential (about 75% of unutilized onshore wind power).

The parts for the new turbine are 90% made in China, which is a result of successful partnership Vestas has achieved with local partners. The turbines will be built in Vestas' new manufacturing facility in Hohhot, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region (IMAR). This is going to be one of the first new facilities to support development of a stronger wind energy industry in the region.