Author: Lakshita Kapoor

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…

China General Nuclear, a state-owned power company, has recently signed an agreement with Laos to expand a significant renewable energy initiative in the northern region of the country. The agreement marks the second phase of an ongoing project that aims to enhance Laos’ renewable energy capacity. The new deal will add a 580 megawatt (MW) wind and solar plant in Luang Namtha province and a 420 MW solar plant in Oudomxay province. This expansion follows an initial agreement made last September to develop a major renewable energy base in northern Laos. Construction is already underway for the first phase of…

Solarvest Holdings Bhd has recently secured five significant corporate green power agreements (CGPAs) as part of Malaysia’s Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP). These agreements are with a prominent Malaysian multi-asset exchange, two major global semiconductor companies, and a top data centre service provider. In a statement, Solarvest, a clean energy specialist, revealed that these agreements are made through two joint ventures: one with Savelite Engineering Sdn Bhd and TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd, and another solely with TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd. The CGPAs will see Solarvest and its partners developing two solar power plants in Lumut, Perak, and Kulim, Kedah. Under…

China is set to roll out 70 new national standards in 2024 to address carbon footprints, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage. This move is part of the country’s broader strategy to reach peak carbon emissions and advance its environmental goals. The new standards will focus on various aspects of carbon management. They will cover carbon footprints, which track the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the production and use of products, and energy efficiency, which aims to reduce energy consumption. Additionally, the standards will address carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies that help reduce emissions from industrial processes.…

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has announced a comprehensive three-year plan to upgrade the country’s power system, aiming to address the growing energy demands and integrate more renewable energy sources. The 2024-2027 plan is designed to help China reach its carbon peak before 2030 and enhance the national grid’s capacity and flexibility. A key component of the plan is improving demand response, which encourages consumers to shift their electricity use away from peak times. This is crucial as recent record-breaking heat has stressed the power grids, particularly in eastern China. The plan targets achieving a 5% demand response…

Plus Xnergy Holding Sdn Bhd, known for its clean energy solutions, is making a bold move into the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The company, which originally focused on solar energy installations, is now positioning itself as a key player in the rapidly growing EV market. Founded over a decade ago, Plus Xnergy, Malaysia began its journey by providing solar energy solutions. Over the years, the company has built a solid reputation for its expertise in renewable energy. Now, it is turning its attention to electric vehicles, an area that has seen tremendous growth globally. The shift into the EV sector…

In the face of rising energy costs and global economic challenges, Kompleks Bukit Jambul (KBJ) in Penang, Malaysia has turned to renewable energy to cut its expenses and stay competitive. The shopping mall, which became the first strata mall in the state to adopt green energy, installed solar panels in December last year after facing a hefty RM1 million increase in electricity bills. Datuk KH Chan, chairman of KBJ’s joint management committee, highlighted the positive impact of the switch to solar energy. “Since installing the solar panels, we’ve seen our monthly savings average about RM18,000,” Chan revealed at KBJ’s Media…

Singapore’s role in the global offshore wind sector is growing rapidly, despite its lack of a domestic wind energy market. Local companies, traditionally focused on oil and gas, are increasingly branching out into renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. Over the years, Singapore’s offshore and marine firms have shifted their focus from oil and gas to renewable energy. They are now providing critical components and services for offshore wind farms worldwide. For instance, Seatrium supplies offshore platforms that help transfer electricity from wind turbines to land-based power grids, while Mooreast offers anchoring solutions for these turbines. Cyan Renewables operates support vessels…

Malaysia’s renewable energy sector is buzzing with excitement as the new Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS) is set to launch in September. Announced last Friday by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, CRESS aims to enhance the country’s renewable energy market by allowing companies to directly purchase green power from suppliers via the existing grid. Industry experts are hopeful about CRESS despite some details still being finalized. Analysts believe the scheme will reduce entry barriers for renewable power generation and support Malaysia’s goal of getting 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2035. Neoh Jia Man of…