Energy, Resources & Environment

Thailand - Alternative energy development plan to be revised

Source: Thai News Service, 16 November 2009

After raw material shortage has sparked protests in many local areas, the Energy Ministry plans to revise the energy production plan which targets to replace 20% of the total energy consumption with alternative energy in 15 years. The Director-General of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) said that the target is unlikely achievable due to raw material shortage, especially biomass. The ministry will increase power production from kinds of energy in the revision of the plan.

Currently, Thailand produces 1,600MW of power from biomass, compared to the 15-year target of 2,600MW. It is proposed to produce 2,000 MW and 1,900 MW of electricity from solar energy and wind energy respectively. The proposed electricity generation volumes are much higher than the targeted 400 MW from solar energy and 800 MW by 2013 from wind energy. The DEDE would likely shift the production plan towards solar and wind energy to achieve the 5,300 MW overall target.

China - Wind power industry still promising, though slow down inevitable

Source: China Daily, 16 November 2009

According to Frost & Sullivan, wind power industry is still promising in the long run, though the growth pace will inevitably slow down, when compared with that of previous years. The installed capacity of China’s wind power increased from 402 MW in 2001 to 12,150 MW in 2008, a higher than world average growth rate since 2004. The consulting firm estimated the cumulative installed capacity of China win power will exceed 100 million kW in 2020. This indicates a compound growth rate between 20%-30% from 2009 to 2020.

The consulting firm still sees great investment opportunities in wind far construction, wind power equipment manufacturing and related industries. The upcoming revitalization government plan for the new energy industry will increase the installed wind power capacity substantially. By 2020, the total capacity is expected to exceed 100 million kW. The key national projects have planned to build six wind power bases with a minimum capacity of 10 million kW or more for each.

 
Japan - Solar Cell Shipments hit record high for 3Q 2009

Source: Jiji Press, 16 November 2009

According to the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association, solar cell shipments in Japan grew 2.6 fold in the quarter of July to September 2009 from a year before, to a record high of 136,684 kW. The surge is attributed by many households introduced solar power generation systems, thanks to subsidy programs of the central and local governments. This reflects expectations for a new program, in which power firms buy surplus electricity generated by solar power systems at prices twice as high as the previous levels.

Solar cell exports in the July to September 2009 quarter rose 3.5% to 260,861 kilowatts. Shipments to the United States expanded 47.9% while those to Europe inched down 0.1%. Exports to the rest of the world, including Asia, sagged 43.6%.

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