In Focus

Japan opens its largest solar power plant

Japan opens its largest solar power plant

The Kagoshima Nanatsujima Mega Solar Plant has a capacity of 70 MW.

Energy demand in China slowing down

This due to “greener” economic growth.

SGX will launch Asia’s first electricity futures market

Will also boost retail competition in Singapore's electricity market.

Malaysia looks to add wind energy to mix

Will develops a national wind map next year.

Singapore steps-up campaign to become SEA sustainable energy hub

Launches first cleantech incubator. The Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) and six industry leaders have established the first cleantech incubator and accelerator in Singapore.

Coal to reign as dominant energy source by 2020

Will replace oil despite clean energy initiatives.

Chinese scientists develop revolutionary “smart window”

Window both reflects heat and generates electricity.

Japan to develop new nuclear waste disposal technology

Involves extracting radioactive substances from spent nuclear fuel.

Japan considers one operator to run all nuclear plants

Option will also keep Tepco alive to pay its debts. Japan’s government is discussing this radical overhaul of its nuclear power sector to rebuild an industry wracked by the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and strong public opposition to nuclear energy. The proposed sole operator that will handle all 50 reactors. will be owned by Japan’s nine regional utilities and two wholesalers (Japan Atomic Power Company and Electric Power Development Company). The government and local reactor makers will provide financial and technical support, said Taku Yamamoto, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s energy committee. Part of the profit from sales of the new company’s electricity will be used for the cleanup of Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (Tepco) destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant and victim compensation, which combined may cost over US$112 billion. The plan will keep Tepco alive to shoulder Fukushima costs and avert any blackouts in Tokyo, which will host the 2020 Olympic Games. Yamamoto said the plan is based on Tepco’s profits covering Fukushima costs without taxpayers’ money and to increase the government’s role in the nuclear industry. He said Tepco has to go on working hard for the Fukushima disaster until it dies.

Japan installs 1.82 GW of solar PV capacity

Boosted by commercial project installations.