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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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Wednesday, 02 February 11
HUGE TONNAGE OVERSUPPLY LOOMING FOR DRY BULK MARKET - NIKOS ROUSSANOGLOU, HELLENIC SHIPPING
With the dry bulk market taking another dive yesterday, to just over 1,000 points (1,084), losing more than 2% on the day, it’s more than obvi ...
Monday, 31 January 11
S. SUMATRA COAL RAILWAY TO BE COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE - THE JAKARTA POST
The Jakarta Post reported that, despite land acquisition problems, state coal mining company PT Bukit Asam is upbeat that the development of a railw ...
Monday, 31 January 11
COAL MINER PTBA TO DRIVE OUTPUT WITH ACQUISITIONS - THE JAKARTA GLOBE
The Jakarta Globe reported that, State coal company Perusahaan Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam said its output would increase 34 percent to 17.6 million ...
Saturday, 29 January 11
PRESSURE ON SHIPPING MARKET MAY CONTINUE UNTIL MID FEBRUARY 2011
COALspot.com - The BDI continues to drop and saw a drop of about 5 pct this week closing at 1370 points.
In May 2010 the BDI touched 4,209 ...
Saturday, 29 January 11
ANTAM ACQUIRES SAROLANGUN COAL MINING
According to Insider Stories, Nickel and gold miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) of Indonesia via its subsidiary PT Indonesia Coal Resources (ICR) h ...
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- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- PTC India Limited - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Planning Commission, India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- The University of Queensland
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Australian Coal Association
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
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