Staff Reporter

The government of Vietnam should have policies that reward producers of electricity from wind and other natural resources, suggests the general chair of the World Council for Renewable Energy.

The VND33 trillion Mong Duong 1 Thermal Power Plant in the northern province of Quang Ninh is now being constructed by the Electricity of Vietnam.

There is increasing safety risks from Chinese nuclear power plants as existing facilities age and a large number of new reactors go into operation, according to the country's environmental minister.

Moody’s sees a stable outlook for Indonesian coal industry, but negative rating implications would arise if issuers use their surplus to the benefit of key shareholders.

Up to 60 percent of a grant from Denmark will be used in Vietnam for effective use of water resources, clean water supply for the poor, wind energy and activities to cope with climate change.

The Export-Import Bank of the US has agreed on a credit package worth US$1 billion for a wind power development programme in the Mekong River Delta between 2011 and 2015. A letter of intent to this effect was signed in Hanoi on October 18 by representatives of the Vietnam Development Bank (VDB) and US EXIMBANK. Under the deal, VDB is allowed to borrow international loans channelled through the US bank for wind power projects in Vietnam. Currently, phase I of such a project is under way in the southern province of Bac Lieu, using VDB’s domestic loans. The first turbine with equipment imported from the US’s General Electric Company will be inaugurated in early November 2011. Project investors will negotiate a business contract with General Electric to supply equipment to the project, using loans from US EXIMBANK. According to Vu Duc Dam, Minister and Chairman of the Government Office, Vietnam is being seriously affected by climate change. The Vietnamese government encourages and creates conditions for developing environmentally-friendly technology. David Shear, US Ambassador to Vietnam, who witnessed the signing of the deal, said the US Government is interested in developing renewable energy in Vietnam. US investment in the Bac Lieu project will help contribute to meeting the goal of increasing cooperation between the two countries.

Areva T&D India won a contract for a 765 kV extra high voltage substation from Rajasthan Raja Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd  worth close to Rs 400 crore. The former will design and build a 765 kV turnkey substation including Extra High Voltage transformers and reactors at Anta near Kota. The scope of this contract also includes a long term maintenance contract for the substation. This first-of-its-kind 765kV EHV substation in Rajasthan will improve power transfer capacity and reliability of the electrical network through power transmission from several generation plants located in the state. All 765 kV products for this substation will be delivered from Areva T&D India’s world-class factories located at Vadodara, Padappai, Pallavaram, Hosur and Noida. These manufacturing facilities were set up in India to meet the future needs of the country as transmission voltage levels move to Extra or Ultra High Voltage levels of up to 1,200 kV.  Rathin Basu, Managing Director of Areva T&D India Limited said, “Areva T&D India is proud to be selected as the supplier for RRVPNL to enhance the power transfer capacity in the state. We continue on our leadership journey by leveraging our strong expertise and experience in delivering Extra High Voltage transmission solutions with our locally manufactured Extra High Voltage transmission products.”

TRUenergy is seeking approval to develop two gas-fired power stations in Queensland, Australia, with total investment of up to A$3.6 billion or $3.76 billion. The firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based China Light and Power Holdings.

Global Wind Energy Council says Asia can beat Europe for the first time next year.

Tokyo Electric Power Co will sell its 20% stake in Eurus Energy Holdings Corp to Toyota Tsusho Corp by January.

Nuclear opposition in India has remained resilient in the months since the devastation at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant.

Spain-based Isolux Corsan will build a 340MW combined-cycle power station in Siddhirganj, Bangladesh.

Austria-based hydro energy developer Andritz Hydro suggested that the government, businesspeople and energy consumers in Indonesia pay more attention to the future development of hydro energy sources. Company president director Josef M. Ulmer said Monday that the country had abundant hydro energy potential, around 78,000 megawatts (MW), but as of today utilization still stood at only around 4,500 MW. “Hydro is the old lady of renewable energy. It’s not as sexy as solar energy, but it is one of the most reliable sources of energy, including in Indonesia,” he told reporters at a press conference on the sidelines of the World Renewable Energy Congress in Nusa Dua, Bali. With a current electrification ratio of about 70 percent, hydro energy could be one of the best options for providing access to electricity in certain regions of the country, he said, adding that the future of hydro energy was very encouraging. As reported earlier, the government and state electricity utility PLN were preparing the concept for the third phase of the 10,000 MW fast-track program. During this phase, most new power plants would use water for generating electricity.

PLN announced that the by the completion of the Paiton coal-fired power plant in Pasuruan, East Java, by the end of this year.

PLN announced that it produced 134 terrawat hours of electricity across Indonesia during the first nine months of 2011.

India expects a wind energy installation of about 3,000 Mw this year driven by strong policy framework and better cost competitiveness compared to conventional power generation, says a report.