coal

China: China Powers Down - Electricity Providers are Hit Hard by High Coal Prices and Lowered Power Demand

About 90 percent of the thermal power plants owned by the top five power companies are losing money, and 70 percent of them have a deficit of at least $14.7 million. Most power producers incurred major losses in the first half of this year when coal price soared to record highs. But as coal prices moderated, demand for electricity declined. The global recession has meant a big decline in demand for iron and steel. That has meant sharp decreases in electricity demand from China’s metal producers, which have been leading the country’s demand for increased electricity production.

Indonesia: Gas Shortage Push Prices Up by 70 Percent

Reports of gas shortage emerged from various regions in Java for the second day on Wednesday but short supply had been for weeks in small towns across the island.

In Surakarta, Central Java head of the Association of Private Oil and Gas Entrepreneurs said Pertamina supply came on Friday less than half its usual daily shipment of 120 tonnes. In the capital city of the province Semarang, shortage have push gas prices up by 15 percent.

Global: World LNG Output May Rise at Slowest Pace in 28 Years on Project Delays

Liquefied natural gas production may increase at the slowest pace in 28 years because of equipment breakdowns, reduced gas supplies and delays in new projects, a London-based consultant said.

Output may rise less than 2 percent this year from 172.6 million metric tons in 2007, said Andy Flower, an industry consultant and a former executive at BP Plc's LNG business. There is ``uncertainty'' over project approvals next year after the financial crisis.

Global: Credit fears creep even into cash-rich oil sector

Access to credit and the capital needed for exploration and production is the biggest obstacle facing oil companies in 2009, even more than lower crude and natural gas prices, a new survey shows.

Nearly 60 percent of chief financial officers at 100 U.S. oil and gas companies cited "credit capacity restraints, including access to capital" as their No. 1 financial challenge next year, according to the survey, released Tuesday by accounting firm BDO Seidman LLP.

India: Power stations stare at acute coal shortage

The country is heading towards more power shortfall as coal-based power stations with generation capacity of over 70,000 mw are reeling under severe coal shortage. Of the 77 stations being monitored by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), as on November 27, nearly 51 stations had coal stocks of less than seven days while 33 stations had stock of less than four days. According to the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) report, so far 5.6 billion units have been lost by these power stations by October due to unavailability of adequate coal. There are peaking shortages at the level of 14% while energy shortages are at 8%. There are indications that the crisis may escalate further also because of coal deficit.

Kyrgyzstan: Electricity Outage Hits Kyrgyzstan's Resort Region

A severe power shortage is causing problems in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul resort region.

RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports that electricity in the area has been on for only seven to 10 hours per day the last several days.

Nepal: More dark hours as load shedding increases

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has further increased the load shedding hours.

From now onwards, people will have to bear 45 hours of load shedding a week – up from present 35 hours a week.

As per the new calendar, there will be seven hours of power cut every day (morning and evening) for six days a week. And on one day every week there will be three hours of power cut during daytime.

Pakistan: Germany extends co-operation to curb energy crisis

The Ambassador of Germany Dr Michael Koch said Germany, for being world leader in renewable energy sources, has a lot of potential to extend co-operation to Pakistan in bridging the gap between demand and supply as Pakistan, at the moment, is passing through the worst energy crisis.

The German ambassador was speaking at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday. LCCI President Mian Muzaffar Ali, Senior Vice President Tahir Javed Malik, honorary consul in Lahore Anisur Rehman, former LCCI Presidents Mian Misbahur Rehman and Shahid Hassan Sheikh also spoke on the occasion.

Pakistan: People wary of power cuts without schedule

The unscheduled and incessant power outages have continued to disturb the routine life of citizens, as a series of unannounced loadshedding have been reported across the country including City.
Spokesperson of the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) told The Nation that due to closure of some IPPs of around 650 megawatt and reduced inflow of water from Mangla and Tarbela Pepco was running short of around 1,000 megawatt.

Pakistan: ECC allows gas loadshedding

Reviewing prices, economic indicators and energy security, the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet under Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin has permitted the Petroleum Ministry to manage gas supply and demand gap by loadshedding.

South Africa: S. Africa Wins Power Cut Reprieve as Crisis Shuts Smelters

South Africa has won a reprieve from an electricity shortage that has curbed supplies to mines as the global credit crisis slashes demand for commodities, prompting companies such as Xstrata Plc to shut power-hungry smelters.

Xstrata, Samancor Chrome Ltd., International Ferro Metals Ltd., Assmang Ltd. and Hernic Ferrochrome Ltd. have shut ferrochrome plants. That's pushed electricity demand down to levels last seen in 2005.