Penang is exploring an innovative solution to power its harbour with renewable energy, a floating solar farm large enough to supply electricity to 6,000 homes. This project aims to make Penang Port a greener choice for international cruise ships, which will be required to use renewable energy by 2030. The proposed floating solar farm would cover 4 hectares in a calm area of Penang’s harbour, an area roughly the size of three World Cup football fields. On sunny days, the farm is expected to generate 30 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 6,000 homes. This initiative is part of a…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
On Tuesday, a partnership was announced involving Adnoc, Petronas, and Storegga, focusing on advancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in Malaysia. Adnoc (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) is based in the UAE. Petronas, or Petroliam Nasional Berhad, is a Malaysian state-owned oil and gas company. Storegga is a UK-based company specializing in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The companies signed a Joint Study and Development Agreement (JSDA) to assess the potential for storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in saline aquifers located in the Penyu basin, offshore Peninsular Malaysia. The main goal of this agreement is to achieve a CO2…
On Wednesday, Japan signed 70 new memorandums of understanding (MOUs) focused on energy transition, during the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) ministerial meeting in Jakarta. This significant move highlights Japan’s commitment to advancing clean energy and reducing carbon emissions across Asia. The AZEC, which was proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in 2022, officially launched in 2023 with participation from 11 countries including Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The initiative aims to promote decarbonization in the region and foster cooperation in energy transition efforts. During the meeting, Indonesia’s coordinating minister of the economy, Airlangga Hartarto, emphasized the need for…
Chinese biodiesel producers are grappling with new obstacles as the European Union prepares to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on their exports. Starting Friday, the EU will apply tariffs ranging from 12.8% to 36.4% on biodiesel imports from China. This move affects over 40 Chinese companies, including major players like Zhejiang Jiaao, Henan Junheng, and Longyan Zhuoyue Group. Last year, the biodiesel export market was valued at $2.3 billion, with the EU being the largest buyer. In response to the impending tariffs, which have already led to a significant drop in exports, Chinese producers are seeking alternative markets in Asia. The…
Indonesia has relaxed its local content requirements for solar power projects financed by foreign investors in a bid to accelerate the development of renewable energy and support the domestic solar panel industry. The policy shift, implemented through Energy and Mineral Resources Ministerial Regulation No. 11/2024, took effect on July 30. Rachmat Kaimuddin, undersecretary for transportation and infrastructure at the Office of the Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister, explained that this move is designed to attract international funding and speed up the renewable energy transition. “We cannot wait until the domestic industry is ready,” he said. Under the new rules,…
In 2023, China’s clean energy industry made a substantial impact on the economy, contributing 11.4 trillion yuan, which represents 9% of the country’s GDP and 40% of its economic growth. This surge highlights the significant role of renewable energy in China’s economic development. China’s advancements in renewable energy are remarkable. The country’s solar and wind energy sectors have expanded rapidly, with China adding as much solar photovoltaic capacity last year as the rest of the world combined in 2022. Wind power additions also surged by 66% year-on-year. By the end of 2023, renewable energy sources exceeded 50% of China’s total…
Smart photovoltaic company Trinasolar is poised to leverage the success of Malaysia’s largest hybrid solar project to expand similar initiatives across Southeast Asia, recognizing substantial potential in the region. In Southeast Asia, rapid economic development and increasing energy demands are often coupled with limited land availability. Floating solar presents an attractive solution by generating clean energy without using valuable land. Additionally, floating solar installations benefit from higher energy efficiencies achieved as a result of the cooling effect of water. Reservoirs with floating solar also benefit as there is less water evaporation. One such successful application is Cypark Resources Berhad’s (Cypark…
Once known as the coal mining province, Shanxi,in North China, is now leading China’s push towards renewable energy, particularly solar power. Historically known as “the coal province,” Shanxi is transforming its energy landscape by harnessing its abundant solar resources and repurposing former coal mining sites for large-scale solar farms. Analysts highlight that Shanxi’s ample solar potential and extensive redeveloped lands give it a distinct edge in the solar energy sector. Zhu Yicong, a vice-president at Rystad Energy, notes that the province’s share of wind and solar energy in its power mix has soared from 6% in 2013 to over 38%…
Fishing has been a cornerstone of Alejandro Alcones’ life for 40 years, but now he faces an uncertain future. Alcones, like many fishermen around Laguna de Bay—the Philippines’ largest lake—is worried that his livelihood could be threatened by a new floating solar farm project. The Philippine government plans to install solar panels on Laguna de Bay as part of its push for renewable energy. With limited land available, floating solar farms are seen as a viable alternative to traditional land-based installations. These projects are designed to generate clean energy without taking up valuable land space. Last year, Indonesia launched Southeast…
As Malaysia’s data centre industry rapidly expands, a focus on sustainability has become crucial, according to Thyaga Rajan, CEO of Basis Bay. Speaking at the CloudTech and Data Centre Conference 2024, Rajan highlighted the urgent need for renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies to combat the sector’s significant carbon footprint. Data centres, which consume substantial amounts of electricity, are set to demand even more power in the coming years. By 2035, Malaysia’s energy consumption is expected to surpass 5,000 megawatts (MW). To meet the energy needs of nine new data centre projects planned for 2024 alone, approximately 700 MW of energy…