Energy security comes into focus as Thailand experiences economic growth
Significant improvements to Thailand’s economy are encouraging the country to explore options for energy security. The Ministry of Energy is aiming to increase energy literacy as a measure to improve public understanding of energy topics and to create awareness about steps the nation’s officials are taking to ensure that resource demands are met for the long term. As the government strategizes for the future, there is significant interest in growing the country’s internal energy infrastructure as well as diversifying the energy mix in order to greater benefit the economy and local communities. It is also hoped that meeting these objectives will open up the possibility for the Thailand to become a regional centre for energy trade.
India seeks to diversify its crude oil sources, makes plans to cut imports from Iran
Facing potential sanctions from the US and abroad, Indian officials have announced plans to decrease the amount of crude oil imported annually from Iran. While the government has stated this move is not in direct response to outside pressure, there is growing awareness that the country must do more to diversify its sources of oil. India is second only to China in oil imports from Iran, and relies on the country for nearly 80 percent of its crude oil resources.
Market for home energy management technology to experience significant gains in the next 10 years
A new report suggests that the once stagnant market for home energy management products is expected to become a $2 billion industry by 2020. Market conditions are being stimulated by policy mandates and a growing consumer population looking to increase home energy efficiency and minimize their utility costs. Analysts say that technology innovations and greater awareness of green management activities are elevating conditions for demand side industry growth.
US Military encouraging the biofuels industry to address supply chain issues
The US Military has its sights on increasing the percentage of biofuels used to power the military’s aircrafts, ships, and other personnel carries. With additional support from the Defense Department, the military is said to be prepared to begin a transition towards cleaner energy sources. However, progress has been stalled by the high price of biofuels and the industries capacity to support the competitive production of petroleum alternatives. Experts say greater efforts must be made within the biofuels industry to develop the nations supply chain in order to address the issues that are hindering its ability to meet demand.
Malaysian company investing $800 million to support the development of wind energy in Vietnam
The Malaysian company, Timar Wind Solar energy has signed an MOU agreement that lays forward a plan to invest an initial $800 million in the development of wind energy projects and infrastructure in Vietnam. The cooperation agreement between the province of Nihn Thuan and Timar also propose capital and technology investments for future wind energy projects, which would be developed and run cooperatively between the parties
Malawi and Mozambique sign energy agreement –hopes to stabilize energy supply in Malawi
Making steps towards improving diplomatic relations, the presidents of neighboring Malawi and Mozambique signed an energy agreement over the weekend that will see through a stalled project initially proposed in 2008. The agreement paves the way for energy from Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa hydroelectric dam to be delivered to Malawi as the country struggles with a limited capacity to meet its own power demands
Cap and trade measure in Brazil likely to produce huge growth in carbon markets
After introducing its first government sponsored carbon trading scheme last year, Brazil is taking initiative to further develop a cap and trade system. As the government explores ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions resulting from agri-business industry and deforestation, economist speculate that a well-planned cap and trade scheme could provide enormous potential for investment within the country.
Pacific Island Nations focus on ambitious, self-sufficient, clean energy goals
Desiring energy independence, leaders from Pacific Nations are setting ambitious targets for the production of renewable sources of energy. Countries such as Tuvalu, the Cook Islands and Tokelau have all announced plans for energy self-sufficiency through the development of wind, solar, and biofuels. Prime Minister Henry Puna of the Cook Islands hopes that by freeing the country from costly energy imports, more of the national budget can be shifted towards health and social service initiatives.
Ukraine’s Ecology and Natural Resources Minister recently announced the nation’s plan to explore the development of two large shale gas reserves. As the government makes steps towards energy independence from Russia, it is hoped that these natural gas projects will attract outside foreign investments, which they speculate, could provide the country with an opportunity to become a major gas exporter.
With plans to revise Japan's “New Energy Basic Plan”, civil society organizations are increasing their activity around the promotion of wind energy in the country. While the current energy plan relies heavily upon nuclear power as a renewable energy source, public distrust of continued reliance on atomic energy is driving this renewed conversation around the development of wind resources. A study out of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment estimates that wind development could significantly increase regional energy supply.
Iran to invest 500 million on renewable energy projects
The Deputy Energy Minister of Iran has announced plans to budget 500 million Euros towards renewable hydro and thermal energy projects. Support for this initiative comes from the National Development Fund which will allocate capital to small developers in the form of loans. This announcement comes as the country prepares to add 10,000 megawatts of power generation by next summer.
Small Island States working together to coordinate their approach to renewable energy
Small Island Developing States are meeting in Barbados this week to discuss the UN objective of Sustainable Energy for All. The proposed outcome of this high-level meeting will be the adoption of a “Barbados Declaration” which will provide a unified framework for identifying renewable energy and sustainable development goals ahead of Rio+20 this June.
Rosneft strikes deal with Statoil for Arctic fields
Rosneft has struck a deal with Norway’s Statoil in Russia’s continued effort to explore offshore energy resources in the Arctic. Rosneft has already signed similar deals with Exxon and Eni. Production from Russia’s traditional energy locations has been declining, and Russia is eager to attract Western companies to develop Arctic fields, which might require as much as $100 billion in the coming decades.
Facing high energy costs, Malta explores carbon capture technologies
Malta’s Labour government is considering the possibility of re-engineering one of the nation’s power stations into a carbon-capture system. The carbon-recovery project proposed by Norwegian firm, Sargas, has been proposed to provide some relief to the nation’s high utility rates. Sargas, which would fund the project, expects that the proposed coal and biomass operated plant will have the capacity to recover 95% of its C02 emissions.
Saudi Arabia will spend SR 140 billion on energy projects this year
While energy projects in many oil producing countries have stalled during the financial crisis of the last four years, Saudi Arabia has remained economically stable affording the nation with the capacity to expand its production of oil and natural gas. With an expected SR 140 billion spent on energy projects this year, Saudi Arabia is set to spend the most on energy projects of any of the Middle Eastern countries.
Japan is struggling with future energy scenarios after removing its last commercial nuclear reactor from operation. With the nation facing power shortages, the Japanese government is said to be exploring the possibility of restarting two nuclear reactors to meet summer energy demands. A policy panel, The Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy, has been convened to explore the course of policy in country, including post atomic energy options. As the panel members discuss the possibility of a nuclear energy mix, critics are alarmed that the government is not doing enough to promote renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Boom in Kenya
Concerned with its reliance on hydro power and the effect of erratic climate, the government of Kenya is encouraging the development of diverse green energy sources with a new renewable energy feed-in tariff. On the heels of this, the Kenya Electricity Generating Company has a 300 MW wind project in development; the Kenya Tea Development Agency is considering a US$22 Million wind project as well as a several smaller scale hydro projects throughout the country.
Fruitful Winds in Developing Countries
A study out of ETH Zurich finds that wind is surpassing solar as the most cost effective source of renewable energy in developing nations. In part, this has been supported by demand for off-grid access to energy in rural areas. However, the report finds that continued support of fossil fuel subsidies may hinder the progress of clean energy technologies in developing countries where the artificially low cost of fossil fuel generated electricity eliminates market competition.
Germany Dealing with Energy Gaps Following Closure of Nuclear Reactors
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel hosted a meeting on Wednesday with energy executives to identify opportunities to offset energy gaps created by the country’s decision to abandon much of its nuclear power supply. While talks are underway to increase the national grid and develop offshore wind sources, Merkel has been criticized for missteps in moving towards a post-nuclear power supply including several high-profile incidents where insufficient grid infrastructure prevented the movement of wind energy throughout the country.
New Global Solar Council launched in Brussels
A newly formed Global Solar Council (GSC), comprised of chief executives from seven of the world’s largest solar PV companies, is focusing their efforts on the promotion of free trade in order to increase the potential for sustainable growth in the solar market. The GSC hopes that emphasis on reforming trade policy will eliminate some of the threats facing the solar industry as restrictive trade measures have discouraged growth, technological innovation, and competition in the global market.
Investment in clean energy yields rewards
Investment in clean energy is likely to yield innovation that leads to price decreases in green technology. For example, in 2009-2014, $150 billion of tax money will be spent on clean energy, which is three times the amount spent in 2002-2007. This is likely to have contributed to the 75% decrease in solar panel prices and 27% decrease in wind turbine prices in the last four years
Building Karachi nuclear plant might have dire consequences
Although Pakistan suffers from power shortages that are crippling its economy, building a nuclear plant in the metropolitan city of Karachi can have much worse consequences, according to John Daly of oilprice.com. For example, the city lies near the junction between the Arabian, Indian, and Asian plates in the Arabian Sea, which makes the region prone to earthquakes, like the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that occurred in January of 2011.
China is expanding its shale gas exploration
Google’s green initiatives picking up momentum
Russia is concerned as others develop shale gas
