June 26 2009

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.