Bangladesh: DST hardly improves power situation

The government's daylight saving time (DST) formula to save electricity is yet to have the desired effect in improving power situation even after seven days of its introduction, as people have not changed their lifestyle while offices and business establishments are not following the directive properly.

However, the city dwellers alleged that the power situation has not changed even after introduction of the DST. Load-shedding and power outages remain the same and in some cases they are facing tremendous sufferings due to frequent load shedding, they added.

India: Low rainfall cuts hydro power generation - govt

The power ministry on Friday urged other ministries and government departments to curb power usage as hot weather has boosted demand while hydro generation has declined due to a weak start of the monsoon.

The country's weather office has said monsoon rains for the week ended June 24 were 68 percent below normal at 13.6 mm.

On Wednesday, the Metreological Department said total rainfall from the crucial June-September monsoon would be 93 percent of the long-term average, coming in below normal for the first time in four year.

Japan: Japanese biomass power plants struggle with shortages

About 30 percent of woody biomass power station operators have suspended or reduced operations due to a shortage of thinned wood and wood chips used for generating power, according to a recent survey by The Yomiuri Shimbun.

This has occurred despite the fact that 20 million cubic meters of thinned wood and brush is being left to rot in forests around the country each year as it is costly to clear and transport it.

Nigeria: Oil above $71 as rebels attack Nigerian facility

Oil prices rose above $71 a barrel Friday as renewed attacks on oil facilities in Nigeria raised supply concerns and as the dollar slipped further against the euro, drawing investors into commodities.

By midday in Europe, benchmark crude for August delivery was up 91 cents to $71.14 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Thursday, it gained $1.56 to settle at $70.23.

Nigerian militants said they attacked a Royal Dutch Shell wellhead in the southern Delta state in response to a government operation against them, hours after the nation's president offered them amnesty in exchange for laying down their arms.

Ethiopia: Ethiopia to hand out 4.5 mln energy-saving bulbs

Ethiopia said on Wednesday it will distribute 4.5 million free energy-saving light bulbs in response to a worsening power shortage that is crippling businesses and slashing export revenues.

Ethiopia started rationing power in March and major towns are now without electricity every second day.

India: Eye on sky to escape power cuts

Rain relief on Wednesday evening was greeted with a round of power cuts as CESC kept its fingers crossed about demand dipping with the Celsius slide.

There were phased power cuts in large parts of south, north and central Calcutta, as well as Howrah.

Nepal: Loadshedding hours to increase

The power outage time in the capital will be increased from Wednesaday as the power generation at the Kulekhani Hydro Power Project will be halted for maintenance work.

The repair work is taking place after 24 years.

The major portion of the electricity supplied to the Valley is generated from the Kulekhani. According to the project officials, the power generation will be halted for around two weeks.

Phillipines: Power deficit seen in Cebu by September

Power stakeholders in Cebu are bracing for what is likely a power deficit this September as several power plants are expected to temporarily shut down due to regular maintenance.

“By September, power supply in Cebu will be on a big shortage as many power plants will be closed for maintenance in preparation for a surge in demand (for power) this December,” Jesus Alcordo, president of power consortium Cebu Energy Development Corp. said.