Author: Lakshita Kapoor

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…

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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…

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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…

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Renovaveis SA, a prominent Portuguese renewable energy company, announced a milestone in its global expansion. The company has secured a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for a new solar power project in Japan. This agreement pertains to a 44-megawatt solar plant that will be established in Fukushima Prefecture, a region known for its efforts in renewable energy development following the 2011 nuclear disaster. The details of the deal reveal that the energy generated from this project will be sold to a major technology company, though Renovaveis SA has chosen not to disclose the name of this off-taker. This strategic move…

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Petronas, Malaysia’s leading state-owned energy firm, Italy’s Enilive SpA, and Japan’s Euglena Co are teaming up to build a new biorefinery in Malaysia, a project expected to significantly enhance the country’s sustainable fuel capabilities. The companies have reached a final investment decision, marking a substantial step forward in their joint venture. The biorefinery will be constructed at Petronas’s integrated refinery and petrochemical complex located in Pengerang, Johor state. The decision to build the facility highlights a growing trend towards sustainable energy solutions. The biorefinery is slated to process up to 650,000 tons of raw materials annually. This capacity will allow…

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China has surged ahead in renewable energy adoption, achieving or surpassing international benchmarks, a recent report reveals. According to the State Grid Energy Research Institute, China’s utilisation of renewable energy has consistently exceeded 95% since 2018, hitting an impressive 97.6% utilisation rate last year. This places China on par with developed nations like Germany in sustainable energy deployment. In 2023, China’s renewable energy generation reached 1,469.1 billion kilowatt-hours, marking a significant 23% increase from the previous year. This surge accounted for 15.8% of total power generation, underscoring a notable 2.1 percentage point increase over the previous year. Notably, renewable energy…

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DPS Resources Bhd’s subsidiary, DPS Energy Sdn Bhd (DPSE), has teamed up with Mutiara Mahajuta Sdn Bhd to develop a 170-acre site in Alor Gajah, Melaka. This joint venture, announced in a filing with Bursa Malaysia, aims to pioneer projects integrating agro-tourism, renewable energy, and sustainable farming practices. The collaboration with Mutiara Mahajuta spans multiple phases over an initial thirty-year period, with potential for extension. The first phase will emphasise agro-tourism attractions, crop cultivation, and bio-farming techniques like aquaponics. Subsequently, the focus will shift to renewable energy, particularly the establishment of a solar farm during the second phase. Mutiara Mahajuta,…

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In the first half of 2024, coal-fired power plants in China produced 59.6% of the country’s total electricity, marking the first time coal’s share fell below 60% during this period. This shift reflects a broader trend towards cleaner energy sources, according to data from energy think tank Ember. From January to June 2024, coal-fired electricity generation totaled 2,793.5 terawatt hours (TWh), up by 2.4% compared to the same period in 2023. Despite this increase, coal’s portion of China’s overall electricity mix reached a new low as clean energy sources surged to record highs. Clean electricity generation in China rose to…

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Eastern Pacific Industrial Corp Bhd (EPIC) is set to mark its presence in Malaysia’s solar energy sector through its subsidiary, EPIC Solar Sdn Bhd (ESSB), aiming to contribute significantly to the country’s renewable energy targets. Dr. Mamad Puteh, chairman of ESSB, revealed that the company’s expansion plans are aligned with Malaysia’s ambitious goal of achieving 40% renewable energy usage by 2035. Highlighting their proactive approach, Dr. Mamad emphasized ESSB’s role as a pioneer in solar projects on the East Coast. A major milestone in ESSB’s efforts is the inauguration of a sprawling 28-hectare solar farm in Teluk Kalong, Terengganu. This…

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In recent months, Spain has seen a remarkable shift towards solar power, with photovoltaic cells emerging as the leading source of electricity in the country’s energy mix. According to Cristian Fabrega, an expert from the University of Barcelona, this trend is set to continue as Spain harnesses its abundant solar resources.  In June alone, photovoltaic solar energy accounted for 22.2% of Spain’s total electricity production, surpassing wind and nuclear energy. This surge, amounting to 4,791 gigawatt-hours (GWh), underscores Spain’s growing reliance on solar technology.  Fabrega attributes this rise to several factors, including generous European subsidies and advancements in solar panel…

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