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Sunday, 13 March 11
COAL NO LONGER A CHEAP ENERGY SOURCE - THE SUNDAY LEADER
 The Sunday Leader reported that, the addition of power generated through coal power to the country’s national grid was initially expected to result in the generation of cheap electricity. However, with the country’s (Sri Lanka) first coal power plant set to commence power generation shortly, Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka says that it might not generate cheap power or result in a possible reduction in electricity tariffs.
The Minister observes that the era of cheap power ended in 1995. The increasing demand for energy has now made ‘cheap power’ a thing of the past.
The Norochcholai coal power plant project was mooted in the 1990s and initiated in 2006 with the promise of cheap power to the consumers. Successive government’s claimed that coal power would result in a reduction in the electricity tariffs.
However, the delays in implementing the project and the increase in coal prices have now prevented Sri Lanka from reaping the anticipated benefit of cheap power.
Although relatively cheaper than thermal power, coal power would not bring a reduction in current tariffs.
According to the Minister, the price of electricity depends on the energy sources and technology. “It is beyond our control,” he said.
Ranawaka said that coal power in the current context is not a long term solution to the country’s power generation issues and long term power diversification is therefore considered important.
“Coal power would bring in a long term diversification of the country’s energy sources and short term economic benefits, but would not result in the generation of cheap power as expected in the 1990s when the plan to construct a coal power plant was initially mooted,” he said.
Ranawaka explained that a coal power generated electricity unit that cost 18 cents (US$ 0.0016) in 1990 and 90 cents (US$ 0.0081) in 2000 has increased to Rs. 6.20 (US$ 0.05) in 2010. In 1990, an electricity unit was sold at Rs. 4.70 (US$ 0.042) in the country.
The increase in a unit price of coal power is a clear indication that coal power generation would not be able to bring the results anticipated in 1990.
The Minister noted that coal when Sri Lanka ordered its first shipment, was at US$ 69 per tonne and the energy cost of a unit was Rs. 3.20 (US$ 0.029). When the second shipment was ordered, the coal prices had increased to US$ 140 per tonne resulting in an increase in the per unit energy cost to Rs. 6.50 (US$ 0.059).
“We have now ordered the next shipment and the coal prices have further increased to US$ 160 per tonne,” Ranawaka said.
The increase in coal consumption and the lack of energy sources are expected to make coal a very expensive energy source by 2020.
Coal cannot be considered a cheap energy source since the 2008 crisis, the Minister said.
The per unit energy cost of diesel power is Rs. 22 (US$ 0.199), naphtha/heavy fuel is Rs. 10 (US$ 0.0908) and special fuel is Rs. 14 (US$ 0.1272) at present. An additional Rs. 5 (US$ 0.0454) and Rs. 3.50 (US$ 0.0318) for transmission and distribution has to be included for each unit in order to determine the final cost of a unit.
Coal power generation was included in the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB’s) generation cycle in 1990 when coal in fact was a cheap source of power. However, the implementation of a coal power project was delayed till 2006 due to protests and objections raised by various parties.
The delay in the installation of a coal power plant has now resulted in coal power no longer being a cheap energy source.
Although coal is no longer a cheap energy source, it is relatively cheaper than renewable energy and diesel and naphtha generated energy.
Ranawaka also explained that when purchasing coal for power generation, the coal should be of a certain standard in order to minimise the environmental impact.
He explained that while there is coal available at different prices, the cheaper coal would result in higher environmental pollution.
Coal power generation causes a sludge, ash, carbon and sulfur emissions.
According to Ranawaka, unlike in the past, there are now ways of disposing the waste products.
While coal ash is one of the key components of cement, countries like India use the sludge as construction material.
“Technology is there to dispose the carbon and sulfur emissions from a coal power plant,” he said.
The carbon emission from the proposed 300MW coal power plant is expected to increase per capita emission by 110Kgs. In 2010, the total per capita level of emission stood at 660Kgs and the addition of the coal power plant would increase it up to 770Kgs.
Once the second phase of the Norochcholai coal power plant is completed and the Sampur power plant is also added into the grid, per capita emission levels will increase by 490-500Kgs.
The total per capita emission level will be 1150-1200Kgs.
The per capita emissions levels are currently 2,100Kgs in India, 6,800Kgs in China, 11,000Kgs in Europe, 21,000 Kgs in Australia and 24,000 Kgs in the US.
“Sri Lanka is far lower in the list,” Ranawaka said, adding that the country did not face any threat of environmental pollution from the coal power plants.
Nevertheless, coal power cannot be considered as a long term solution, he reiterated. It is this reason that has prompted the country’s power sector to consider liquid natural gas (LNG) and even nuclear power as energy sources. “The long term solution would always lie in green energy sources,” Ranawaka said.
Unlike hydro power, coal power is considered as a base load power that is generated throughout the day.
“We want to develop coal, thermal, LNG and nuclear power in the country. Nuclear power however, would take another 15 years,” the Minister said.
The Power and Energy Ministry is now looking at converting most of the thermal power plants in the country into LNG plants.
The LNG plants are to come into operation within two years, Ranawaka said.
As for the price factor, he said that the cost of LNG power would be similar to coal power.
However, Ranawaka said that in the context of rising commodity prices in the past few years, electricity prices have remained unchanged since 2008.
When all other commodity prices increased, the electricity prices have not been increased and have remained the same,” he said.
Sampur Plant Will Go Ahead
Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka said the proposed Sampur power plant will go ahead as planned once the legal issues are resolved. The Sampur plant that is to be set up with Indian cooperation has been delayed due to a legal snag following several issues raised by the Attorney General.
“Once the legal issues are resolved, work on the power plant will commence,” Ranawaka said.
The Sampur coal power plant is expected to be completed by 2017. The type of coal to be used in the plant is to be decided by the Indians.
When asked if the plant would use coal that is of a good quality in order to minimise the environmental impact, Ranawaka said there would not be a problem with the quality of the coal used in the Sampur plant. (1 LKR = 0.00908926 USD - http://www.xe.com)
Source: The Sunday Leader (By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema)
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Tuesday, 17 May 11
DRY BULK MARKET ENTERS WEEK ON WEAK MODE - HELLENIC SHIPPING
In yet another sign of softening freight rates for dry bulk carriers and oversupply issues, the dry bulk market entered this week on a downward path ...
Monday, 16 May 11
INDO TAMBANG 1Q SALES REVENUE UP - INSIDER STORIES
Thai Banpu Plc last week reported a 7.83% increase in coal sales revenue from its Indonesian operating unit via PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITMG) ...
Sunday, 15 May 11
THE FREIGHT MARKET REMAINED SOFT - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - "The freight market overall remained soft", said Capt. Reddy, Director of Vistaar Shipping Singapore. He further added, &qu ...
Saturday, 14 May 11
WELSPUN TO ACQUIRE AN INDONESIAN COAL MINE - MEDIA
The India based Welspun Power and Steel Ltd is planning to acquire 456,000 shares in PT Batubara Energy Indonesia, representing 75% interest, accord ...
Saturday, 14 May 11
DRY BULK MARKET ON A DOWNFALL ONCE AGAIN - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
In what is now pretty clear will be yet another challenging year for dry bulk ship owners, the Baltic Dry Index returned to its usual pattern of dec ...
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- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- White Energy Company Limited
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- VISA Power Limited - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- The University of Queensland
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- PTC India Limited - India
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Planning Commission, India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
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