China: China power crisis symptom of deep structural woes
China's power shortages may become more than a seasonal summer bugbear, as price controls complicate the search for investment to solve deep-rooted problems in the mining, transport and generating sectors.
Chinese firms have grown used to summers when electricity is rationed as air-conditioning strains the grid beyond capacity -- around half the country faces restrictions at present.
China: Shandong's power rationing to spread on coal, weather
Power rationing in China's Shandong, a major industrial base, will spread to the whole province from the eastern section as over a third of its generators were off line while demand surges on hot weather, the local grid said.
China is facing its worst power crisis since 2004 as a lack of coal for electricity generators is forcing many to curb their power supply.
Ecuador: Controlar la escasez de gas
It is necessary for the authorities to have controls that address the shortage of gas for domestic use, which in recent weeks affecting the inhabitants of Manabi.
It is not known with certainty the cause of the problem because the authorities of the Directorate of Hydrocarbons have not delivered so far, an official version. What was discussed is that the decrease in the quota to one of the packaging plants caused a sudden shortage that in turn gave rise to a wave of speculative product.
India: Atomic power generation waits for nuke deal cue
There is no better time than now for the Indo-US nuclear deal to come through, as atomic power plants are running at less than 50 per cent of their capacity for want of fuel, feel Power Ministry officials.
India: SSIs to go without power for 2 days
Nearly 7,000 small-scale industries (SSI) in Pimpri-Chinchwad and neighbouring areas, already affected severely by load-shedding, will now remain closed for two days a week — on Thursday and Friday.
The decision was announced by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Small-Scale Industries Association on Wednesday.
India: Power crisis worsens as 4 thermal units trip
The power crisis in the state worsened on Wednesday with four units of the Vijayawada thermal power station (VTPS) tripping in the morning. As a result, 480 MW of supply was lost in addition to the existing shortfall of 2,200 MW. Two of the units were restored by 2 pm and the third made operational by the evening. The fourth unit will be restored by late Wednesday, officials said.
What is a cause for concern is that the units tripped due to continuous running of the thermal units, said power officials. Officially, however, Genco Managing Director Ajay Jain said the tripping was due to auxiliary supply failure (power supply circuit).
Indonesia: Blackout -plagued Indonesia firms seek secure power
Some Indonesian firms faced by a new wave of power blackouts in Southeast Asia's top economy are prepared to pay up to 50 percent more for electricity to safeguard supplies, a business official said on Thursday.
The country faces a worsening power crisis which threatens to deter much-needed foreign direct investment and alienate ordinary Indonesians as the country heads for elections next year.
Iran: Drought drives up Iran power prices
Iran is considering raising electricity prices five-fold as early as September in order to curb domestic consumption, as it grapples with a power crisis brought on by the worst drought to hit the country in more than a century.
The drought has caused hydroelectric output to fall by 75 per cent, Alyssa Rallis, an economist with the consulting firm Global Insight, said in a new report. In partial compensation, Iran’s mostly gas-fuelled thermal power plants have increased production by 25 to 27 per cent, she said, citing Fars News.
Pakistan: Protesters ransack Pesco office in Mardan
Residents of Kas Kuroona, Baghdada Road and Sikandari areas ransacked the Pesco office Wednesday in protest against massive loadshedding.
Sources said Pesco authorities were resorting to unscheduled loadshedding for the last more than 10 hours in various localities of the district. Local people led by elders Abdullah, Pirzada, Khan Zarin and Ibrahim, marched through various bazaars and later attacked the Pesco office at Muqam Mandi on Malakand Road.
Vietnam: New legislation in need for new energy sources
Vietnam is facing a power shortfall as hydroelectric generation requires large investment and fossil fuel supplies are becoming exhausted and more expensive. Under such a circumstance, authorities are seeking to direct people toward new power suppliers such as wind power and solar power. However, to ensure a smooth transition to new power sources, the country is in need of a legislation, says Trinh Quang Dung, Chairman of Council on Renewable Energy in the Mekong Region. Dung, who is also Head of the Department for Development Solar Electricity of the HCMC Institute of Physics, talks with the Daily on the issue.
Zambia: Zambia Moves to Conserve Energy
Power blackouts are now a source of great concern to most countries in southern Africa. In Zambia, where the economy is based mainly on manufacturing and mining, production has dropped 30 percent because of blackouts. Other sectors affected are tourism and agriculture.
David Matongo says other countries in the region are facing similar problems. Matongo is the chairperson of the Committee on Energy for the Southern African Development Community.
