Power Generation Regional News

published by Global Power Review

Thailand

Between 2007 and 2021, electricity demand in Thailand is expected to increase at an average of around 5.7 per cent per year. The domestic gas reserve is limited, and the country is likely to face increased dependency on gas imports.

Any expansion of coal-fired power plants is unlikely, due to public opposition to environmental emissions and the increased reliance on imported coal.

Diversifying the fuel mix for power generation would reduce vulnerability, which nuclear power could mitigate, and it already had plans to install four 1000 MW nuclear power plants by 2021. But nuclear is not going to play a significant role in the near- to medium-term future.

Renewable energ will increase and will not be able to meet the country's growing demand for electricity, however it could reduce dependence on gas and fuel imports.

Malaysia

The increase in demand of electricity in Malaysia is forecast at 7.8% per year to reach 20,087 MW in 2010. The Malaysia Ministry for Energy, Water & Communications is undertaking a $10 billion investment programme, from Government and public enterprises, aiming to have an installed capacity of 25,258 MW.

In the Ninth Malaysian Plan the Ministry will continue to further enhance the sustainable development of the energy sector, through an optimal energy mix and improving the performance of the transmission system, to enable them to contribute towards strengthening economic growth.

Singapore

The Singapore electricity retail market is being liberalised to facilitate competition and to allow consumers to buy electricity from retailers of their choice. Companies that operate in the competitive parts of the industry have been separated from those that operate the natural monopolies at the ownership level. The government is very skeptical about its ability to rely on neighbouring countries for such a basic commodity as electricity.

Singapore’s electricity demand is expected to double within the next two decades. The challenge for the power sector is to continue to deliver secure and affordable electricity supplies to all of Singapore and beyond.

The energy industry is a major contributor to the Singapore economy and their goal is to increase the value-added of Singapore’s energy industry from $20 billion to around $34 billion by 2015, and to triple the employment generated from 5,700 to 15,300.

Indonesia

It is expected that an additional 21,770 MW will be required on the Java-Madura-Bali system by 2015, and a further 8720 MW across other parts of Indonesia, making a total of 30,040 MW. Projections suggest this additional capacity will be split roughly between coal and gas fired power plants, with small additions to hydro and geothermal capacity.

Given PLN's financial situation, much of the new capacity will have to be built with private sector investment. In Spetember 2005, eight new power plants were announce across Indonesia. Due to be completed in 2010 and 2011, these plants will add just over 4000 MW to the national capacity.

A key aim of the government is to increase the range of the grid system in Indonesia. In 2005, the government quoted an electrification ration of 54 per cent. However, its aim is to achieve 90 per cent access to the grid by 2020. This will mean connecting one million households annually.

China

The massive rate of growth in China is fuelling an even bigger growth in demand for electricity. Recent predictions that installed capacity would reach 588 GW by 2006 are already outdated, with current capacity over 622 GW. Predictions that capacity will reach 775 GW by 2010 also look far too low and the latest predictions over the longer term suggest there will be between 1200-1300 GW by 2020.

China does have ambitious plans for new renewable generation, whcih would see hydropower capacity reach 300 GW by 2020, wind power reach 30 GW and biomass power generation reach 30 GW.

Philippines

GDP growth in the Philippines is set to rise by 5 per cent in 2007, with inflation expecting to fall to 5 per cent. With demand for energy growing alongside the economy, and the government eager to seek private investment from foreign firms, the Philippines is likely to see a flurry of activity over the coming years. It becomes more attractive when its abundance of renewable sources is considered, alongside its emergence as a significant producer of natural gas.

The US Department of Energy wind mapping survey has estimated that wind resources in the Philippines have a power generation potential of up to 70,000 MW - seven times the country's current power demand.

Vietnam

The massive increase in energy demand in Vietnam over the last few years shows no sign of slowing down. As the government continues to encourage industry and commerce to alleviate poverty and maintain strong economic growth, the demand for additional power generation will rise by 10 GW by the end of 2010.

Hydropower will form the bulk of the increase, with natural gas and coal also featuring prominently. Renewable energy could play a wider role in electrifying rural communities that still have no access to the grid. The government will seek to further prepare the electricity industry and those connected to it for privatization.