In Focus

Fears of problems at thermal plants resulting in sudden blackouts have prompted the Japanese government to prepare for rolling power cuts.

A record-setting ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission line will transmit up to 8 million kW upon completion in 2014.

A bill has been filed in the Philippine Senate seeking to maintain government ownership of the Agus-Pulangui hydropower plants in Mindanao.

Preventing a waste of renewable energy is behind China’s plan to protect this vital resource.

Singapore’s ambition to become a cleantech hub receives a big boost.

Hydropower generation in Pakistan has witnessed a sharp increase to 4,019 MW.

Vietnam plans to generate 11% of its energy from renewable sources by 2050 from only 5% today.

Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority has agreed to buy two tunnel boring machines for the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower project.

The 110KV Ha Tien – Phu Quoc submarine cable system project will soon commence and is expected to be completed in 2013.   Southern Power Corp. or EVNSPC and Italian-based Prysmian Powerlink Group have signed a contract for its execution, supply and installation. Upon completion, the 55.813km cable system with a capacity of 131MVA will be the longest of its kind in South-East Asia. The project has an estimated investment of US$118 million jointly funded by a World Bank loan and EVNSPC capital. “Ha Tien – Phu Quoc 110KV submarine power cable project is aimed at increasing capacity of power supply for Phu Quoc in order to contribute turning Phu Quoc into an important economic special zone and a high-quality tourist region of the whole country,” said Nguyen Thanh Duy, EVNSPC chairman and general director. The agreement was signed by Pham Ngoc Le, EVNSPC’s deputy general director, and Marcello Del Brenna, CEO of Prysmian Group, witnessed by  leaders from the Government Office, Ministries and Sectors from central government, Kien Giang Province, Vietnam Electricity Corporation, and representatives of the Italian Embassy to Vietnam. “This development will imply more projects to be implemented in the island, more international investments to come to Phu QUoc and clearly also power usage will increase,” said Marcello Del Brenna. For more, click here.

Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries acquires its first wind farms in China.

Japan shuts down its last working nuclear power reactor this weekend leaves Japan without nuclear power for the first time since 1970.

Overcapacity and oversupply have dampened the growth of China’s wind power industry.

It’s a go for a massive wind power hub that will supply Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam with 200MW of power.

China’s economic growth will continue to be fast—and dirty.

Renewable energy use remains insignificant in Singapore but a more resolute political will could change that.

Tata Power aims to source a fourth of its power from renewable energy sources.