Author: Lakshita Kapoor

In a recent report by energy think tank Ember, the Philippines has emerged as one of the world’s top ten economies heavily reliant on coal-fired power, surpassing Indonesia and China. This ranking underscores the challenges the country faces in achieving its ambitious green energy targets. According to Ember’s data, in 2023, coal accounted for a significant 61.92% of all electricity generated in the Philippines, marking a notable increase from 59.07% in 2022. This upward trend marks the fifteenth consecutive year of rising coal dependency, despite the Philippine government’s goal to reduce coal’s share to less than half of total power…

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Rolls-Royce, a leading British provider of power and propulsion solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), a prominent Chinese battery manufacturer. The collaboration aims to introduce CATL’s innovative TENER product line into the European Union and the United Kingdom, targeting the rapidly expanding market for power storage systems driven by the growth of renewable energies. CATL’s TENER is distinguished as the world’s first energy storage system with zero-degradation in the initial five years of operation, boasting a substantial capacity of 6.25 megawatt-hours and designed for mass production. Rolls-Royce has integrated TENER products into its…

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In a significant boost to China’s renewable energy sector, heavy spring rains have led to a substantial increase in hydroelectric power generation this May. According to recent reports, hydroelectric output surged to 115 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), marking a sharp rise from 82 billion kWh during the same period last year, which was marred by a severe drought.  The backbone of this surge lies in China’s extensive cascade dams, primarily along the Yangtze River. These dams, comprising six massive power stations spread over 1,800 kilometers, have a combined capacity of 72 million kilowatts (kW). Stations like Wudongde, Baihetan, Xiluodu, and Three…

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Malaysian state of Johor aims to forge a partnership with Sarawak to explore renewable energy sources, particularly hydrogen, announced Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, Chairman of the Johor Sustainability Centre. This initiative is part of Johor’s strategy to bolster its renewable energy sector through collaboration with both private and public sectors. Datuk Hasni revealed that a delegation led by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi will soon visit Sarawak to kickstart this collaboration. The move comes in light of Sarawak’s advancements in hydrogen technology as a sustainable energy source, which Johor hopes to leverage. “We see Sarawak’s development in hydrogen…

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In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability, Jerudong International School (JIS) has launched Brunei’s first major solar energy installation, marking a significant step in the country’s renewable energy landscape. Located in Jerudong, Brunei, JIS has completed the installation of over 600 solar panels across key campus buildings. This initiative, announced during the school’s Earth Week celebrations, aims to generate approximately 600,000 kilowatt-hours (KWh) of clean energy annually. The panels are strategically positioned atop structures like the eLearning Centre, lecture theatre, and sports complex, maximizing solar efficiency. Supported by Berakas Power Company Sdn Bhd and Serikandi Group of Companies, JIS has implemented…

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Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company, PLN, has announced ambitious plans to construct a massive green super grid costing approximately 25 billion USD. This grid aims to interconnect renewable energy sources across the archipelago nation, marking a pivotal step towards sustainable energy and achieving its net-zero emissions goal by 2060. Darmawan Prasodjo, Director of PLN, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that the grid’s development will facilitate Indonesia’s transition to renewable energy. The proposed 50,000 km transmission network is expected to integrate various renewable sources, including 19.6 GW from hydroelectric power, 16.5 GW from solar energy, 11.3 GW…

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Malaysia is gearing up to significantly boost its renewable energy capacity, particularly in solar power, with expectations of substantial investment in upcoming projects. UOB Kay Hian (UOBKH) Research has projected a robust pipeline of engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contracts worth between RM5.6 billion to RM7 billion over the next one to two years. These contracts are set to be rolled out under two major initiatives: the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) and the fifth round of the Large-Scale Solar (LSS5) scheme. The combined allocation will cover multiple solar projects totaling 2,800 megawatts (MW). UOBKH Research estimates that the…

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Japan, long reliant on coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, is poised to become energy-independent by 2060, according to Jarand Rystad, CEO of Rystad Energy consultancy. Rystad’s forecast hinges on Japan’s embrace of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, coupled with advancements in storage battery technology. Currently, Japan imports the bulk of its energy resources, primarily from the Middle East, Australia, and the United States. However, the government aims to decrease its dependence on LNG and coal to less than 40% of the power generation mix by 2030, down from over 60% currently. Despite these ambitions, analysts…

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Singtel, the telecom giant in Singapore, is on a mission to go green faster than ever before. Instead of waiting until 2050, they’ve set their sights on achieving net-zero emissions by 2045. But why the rush? Well, they’ve looked around the world and seen that others are moving faster – companies like Vodafone are aiming for 2040, while Verizon and AT&T are even more ambitious, targeting 2035. Singtel realized they needed to keep up, especially since their customers, including Singapore’s government, are also aiming for 2045. It’s not just about being green – it’s also good for business. Their plan…

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Indonesia is aiming for renewable energy to dominate 70% of its new power projects over the next decade. However, the challenge lies in expanding the grid to distribute this green energy efficiently.  Abdan Satria, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Investment at Indonesia’s state-owned power company, PLN, highlighted the need for innovative financing tools to build a 50,000-kilometer-long transmission network. This network is crucial for transporting renewable energy from various scattered sources across the archipelago to urban centers where demand is high.  During a panel discussion at the Asia Infrastructure Forum in Singapore last Wednesday, Satria emphasized the importance…

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