May 20 2008
Bangladesh: Erratic power cuts reshape lifestyle
“Everyone hurry up, let's start dinner. The load shedding is going to start in 20 minutes,” Fatema Mannan, a resident of Rupnagar in Mirpur, called out to her family members.
“If we don't start now then we will have to dine in candlelight,” she reminded her four children while arranging candles along with rice bowls and curries on the table.
China: Earthquake Hits CNPC and Exacerbates China's Diesel Shortage
The earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province has affected the operations of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the parent company of PetroChina. According to preliminary estimates, losses due to the earthquake reached 1.78 billion Yuan. PetroChina is now making every effort necessary to rescue wounded staff and find employees that are still missing, while ensuring the supply of oil and the safe operation of facilities in earthquake affected areas.
China: Coal shortage at China plants
Chinese power plants are running out of coal, with less than a three-day supply in some areas, the government said Tuesday, adding to China's logistical headaches following a devastating earthquake.
It is the second time in three months that Chinese power plants have run short of coal, an unintended effect of government-mandated price controls -- a throwback to communist central planning -- to shield the public from rising global energy costs.
Honduras: Importadoras combustibles Honduras dicen cancelarán inversiones
In early May, the government of President Manuel Zelaya, warned that it could take control of terminals for importing fuel in the country in the hands of private companies, amid a shortage that has affected the transport and local industry.
The warning came after more than two weeks of a shortage of diesel that has affected public transport services, garbage collection and industries.
India: Power import policy coming
With the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear deal hanging in the balance, the government is framing a policy for importing power from neighbouring countries including Pakistan to overcome the peaking shortage, say highly placed sources.
Pakistan: IJT ‘damages’ hostels in protest over load shedding
Activists of Islami Jamiat-e-Talba (IJT) allegedly damaged the Islamia College University (ICU) hostels during a protest rally it staged against the continued power outages in the university. They also blocked the Jamrud Road.
The IJT activists gathered at the lawns of the college, and allegedly damaged the hostels while seeking alternate arrangements for power supply to borders. Oriental, Khushhal and Buttler hostels were damaged.
Pakistan: Load shedding and shortage of water
Units 1 and 6 of the Bin Qasim power plant tripped on Tuesday due to which 85 mega watts of electricity were disconnected from being supplied to the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC).
Pakistan: Saving electricity
A substantial amount of electric power can be conserved for national economic interests and for minimising loadshedding if we sacrifice some of our comforts, luxuries and non-essentials. For this national objective, I offer the following suggestions:
Pakistan: Unscheduled loadshedding irks people
The unending sufferings of Karachities started to further aggravate the situation as the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) gifted 6 to 7-hour unannounced loadshedding to the citizens to meet the 300MW shortage of electricity.
Pakistan: Candle prices shoot up
According to a survey conducted by 'The News,' two big candles are needed in a home during loadshedding hours everyday. "How could I purchase two big candles for Rs44 every day," Ramzan Anwar, a milkman, told 'The News' on Monday.
Palestine (Gaza): Electric car hits the road in fuel -starved Gaza
A Palestinian-designed electric car drew admiring stares on Tuesday from Gazans forced to use cooking oil to power their cars because of a fuel shortage.
"At first people laughed, saying it would not work, now people are begging us to convert their cars," said Fayez Amman.
Philippines: Arroyo scolds energy chief over inaccurate power assessment
Just like the rice situation, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants an accurate assessment of the power crisis to avoid creating panic among the public.
And for not doing this, as far as the situation in the Visayas region is concerned, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes got a scolding from the President in Tuesday's Cabinet meeting here.
South Africa: Coal Prices May Rise If South Africa Limits Exports
Global thermal coal prices may rise if South Africa, the biggest supplier of the fuel to European electricity companies, decides to limit exports, an analyst at National Australia Bank Ltd. said.
``This is going to have a fairly significant impact as South Africa is a key exporter in the thermal coal market,'' Gerard Burg, a minerals and energy economist at National Australia Bank in Melbourne, said today by phone.
South Africa: Lights out on South Africa boom?
Quite simply, South Africa, for years a beacon of hope illuminating the continent, is facing an energy crisis which threatens to overshadow the economic achievements of the post-apartheid government.
