China: Unlike 2004, China oil demand unmoved by power woes
This year, it's coal availability and price -- not a lack of generating capacity -- that have curbed supplies, forcing more than a dozen provinces to ration electricity amid a deficit now totaling as much as 27 gigawatts (GW), about 4 percent of total capacity in the world's second-biggest power user.
China: Guizhou suffers power shortage due to lack of coal
Southwestern China's Guizhou province, a major power provider to coastal Guangdong, is suffering electricity shortages due to a lack of coal, joining a series of others facing power woes ahead of China's hosting of the Olympics.
Power generation in the mountainous region has trailed demand by about 0.9 gigawatts (GW) so far this month as coal shortages have forced the closure of 20 per cent of generating capacity -- about 20 GW -- that is connected to the provincial grid, a local source said on Monday.
China: China Zinc, Lead Smelters to Reduce Output by 10% (Update1)
Zinc and lead smelters in China, the world's largest producer of the metals, agreed to cut output by 10 percent from July to September to reduce costs and help ease a power shortage, a trade association said.
The 27 producers who met on Saturday also suggested that the government buy the metals when prices are close to cost and store as the country's strategic reserves, the Shanghai Nonferrous Metals Trade Association said in a statement today. The cuts were also to ensure sufficient electricity for the Beijing Olympics next month, it said.
India: Loadshedding enforced in State
The power shortage assumed crisis proportions in the State on Monday. Depletion of storage at hydel resources and technical snag at a generating unit at the Raichur Thermal Power Station have aggravated the problem.
The power utilities resorted to unscheduled loadshedding throughout the State, including Bangalore. Many areas in Bangalore faced loadshedding from 90 minutes to two hours while it was for longer time in the rest of the State.
Indonesia: Indonesia issues decree for factories to work weekends
Indonesia issued a joint ministerial decree on Monday which will force manufacturers to shift production to weekends once a month in a bid to stave off an electricity crisis, the industry minister said.
Southeast Asia's largest economy suffers from power shortages as demand has steadily risen while there has been little new investment in power-related infrastructure.
Indonesia: VP optimistic no more blackouts in Java in 2009
Vice President Jusuf Kalla expressed optimism that there will be no more scheduled rotating blackouts in Java Island in 2009 if the construction of three coal-fired power plants (PLTUs) can be completed as scheduled.
The three power plants, namely PLTU Labuan, unit 2, PLTU Indramayu, unit 1, and PLTU Rembang are part the 10,000 megawatts (MW) project.
Iraq: Iraq's electricity -starved capital turns to solar
In a city with constant electricity shortages but no lack of sunshine, the new buzz is solar energy.
Teams of engineers have appeared along major Baghdad roadways, bolting panels and bulbs to rows of towering steel poles to make solar-powered streetlights.
The workers who turned up recently in the upscale Karada district approached the task with near-religious fervor.
Pakistan: Power cuts turning Pakistanis ‘green’
Homeowners in electricity-starved Pakistan are turning to wind and solar power in a bid to overcome a crippling power shortage that is causing deep dissatisfaction with the country’s civilian government.
Companies selling alternative energy devices say business is taking off as Pakistanis struggle to cope with blackouts of at least six hours a day and the soaring cost of fuel needed for generators.
Paraguay: Taxistas también se ven afectados por escasez del gasoil
In addition to truck drivers and agricultural workers, another area badly affected by the shortage of diesel are taxi drivers. Arístides Morales, the association Paraguayan Taxi drivers, said today that as early as this afternoon about 30% of vehicles (taxis) would have problems due to shortages.
Paraguay: Escasez del combustible se evidenció en servicentros
In a tour made last night by reporters from this newspaper they were able to show that at various points of sale of diesel in downtown Asuncion were seen missing fuel.
UAE: Diesel shortage hits Abu Dhabi
A diesel shortage affected many sectors in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with trucks stuck in massive queues waiting to refuel.
Households and restaurants suffered due to a lack of a supply of essential items. The transportation of labourers from worksites to their accommodation was also affected.
Diesel vehicles have had to queue at fuel stations in Mussaffah since Sunday morning, as the sale of diesel was stopped in Abu Dhabi City.
Zambia: Zambia starts fuel imports after refinery shutdown
Zambia's oil marketing companies have started importing refined petroleum products after the shutdown last week of the country's sole oil refinery, energy officials said on Monday.
The Indeni Oil Refinery was shut down after it ran out of crude oil following delays in agreeing a long term financing deal for crude oil imports by Zambian authorities and the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZNCB).
