hydroelectric

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.

Bangladesh: Bangladesh Prime Minister Ordered to Ensure Power Supply for Farmers

Seven units of Kaptai Hydraulic Power Station, Raozan Thermal Power Station and Shikolbaha power stations remains inoperative due to shortage of water in Kaptai lake and inadequate supply of gas in Chittagong. Only one unit of Kaptai Hydraulic Power Station and one unit of Raozan Thermal Power station are now producing power. Those two units produced only 165 MW power today, concerned sources said.

Bolivia: Las provincias sufren por falta de GLP y diésel

Several rural and border areas of the departments of Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando have begun to suffer a lack of diesel and LPG. Then there is the shortage of natural gas that affects the industries of Cochabamba, Oruro and La Paz, according to the National Chamber of Industries.

India: Despite good weather, power cuts continue">Despite good weather, power cuts continue

Despite pleasant weather, Delhi faced problems on the power front on Tuesday. Under frequency relays in the Northern Grid combined with sudden shortfall in power generation from the central sector ensured that discoms resorted to forced loadshedding throughout the day. The situation was particularly bad in the morning when neighbouring states started overdrawing heavily from the grid to meet peak load. This led to loadshedding of 108 MW which included 22 MW due to technical faults in some stations.

India: Closure of industries will reduce power crisis

In the days to come, the state will witness reduced loadshedding, not due to better performance by the Maharashtra State Electricity
Board (MSEB), but due to the partial or complete shutdown by a section of industries due to the worsening financial situation.

The reduced loadshedding will be politically beneficial for the ruling Congress-NCP alliance in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections as power cuts will be a major issue. "If we are able to reduce loadshedding by three hours across the state for the next three months, it will be a major achievement for the Congress-NCP alliance,'' a senior NCP minister said.

Lebanon: Lebanon Coordinates Transfer of Electric Power From Egypt With Syria

The agreement was signed in Cairo after which Younis told reporters that Egypt would supply Lebanon with electricity ranging between 150 MW to 450 MW through a power grid passing through Jordan and Syria.

The deal comes after a long period of electricity shortage in almost all Lebanese areas. The current mal-functioned Electricity Company supplies consumers with 1,500 MW of electricity, while the actual need is 2,300 MW.

South Africa: South Africa's 2008 gold output lowest since 1922

South Africa's gold output in 2008 fell to its lowest level in 86 years due to a power shortage and dwindling grades, lowering it to the world's number three producer behind China and the United States.

The closure of mines due to a major power shortage in South Africa from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31 last year was also the first time the gold mining sector had been closed since the Anglo Boer war between 1900 and 1902, an industry body said in a statement.