We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining,
shipping, etc.
To Submit your article please click here.
|
|
|
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)
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
|
|
Monday, 21 February 11
CHURCHILL MINING RECEIVES SIGNIFICANT INTEREST, PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP EAST KUTAI COAL PROJECT - PROACTIVE INVESTORS
Proactive Investors reported that, Churchill Mining has received a number of specific proposals to fund and develop its massive East Kutai coa ...
Monday, 21 February 11
ABOLISH 5% DUTY ON COAL IMPORTS: SHINDE
Indian Express reported that, with acute coal shortage of domestic coal threatening to destabilise its power generation plans, the power ministry ha ...
Saturday, 19 February 11
THE FREIGHT MARKET EXPECTED TO BE STEADY NEXT WEEK - VISTAAR
COALspot.com - The market was quite firm this week with freight rates in South east asia and India/Feast almost up by 30 pct.
However towards end ...
Thursday, 17 February 11
COAL-GEN EUROPE 2011 REAFFIRMS THE IMPORTANCE OF COAL
Press Release: The third COAL-GEN Europe conference and exhibition, kicked off on Tuesday 15 February, with leading experts, professionals and compa ...
Thursday, 17 February 11
UNCERTAINTY AND VOLATILITY - FEARNBULK
Handy
Recovering market as evidenced by the solid USD 16k/day achieved by a handymax from Continent to east Med with scrap. More short period requ ...
|
|
|
Showing 5371 to 5375 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Minerals Council of Australia
- The University of Queensland
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Australian Coal Association
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Planning Commission, India
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Economic Council, Georgia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- PTC India Limited - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
|
| |
| |
|
