We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining,
shipping, etc.
To Submit your article please click here.
|
|
|
Monday, 06 October 14
' COAL-BY-WIRE' FROM SUMATRA TO JAVA - THE JAKARTA POST
 Coal from the island of Sumatra accounts for most of Indonesia’s low-grade lignite, a low-quality coal that receives a poor price in international markets.
Given this low pricing combined with high transportation costs and the fact that most reserves are located in landlocked areas, it is not feasible to export Sumatra’s coal out of the island.
It is more efficient to use Sumatra’s coal for a mine-mouth power plant, an approach in which we develop a power plant very close to where mines are located, use the low-calorie coal from the mines to feed the plant, and transmit the electricity, rather than transporting a low-value commodity, out of the mines.
With mine-mouth, we no longer require either barges or expensive railway-heavy infrastructure to transport coal; rather we need to have long-distance high-voltage transmission lines to bring “coal-by-wire” from mines to consumer centers, either regions in Sumatra and/or Java-Bali.
Essentially, with “coal-by-wire” we are transporting a higher-value commodity by wire from mines to customers. Coal stays in the landlocked areas and feeds mine-mouth, coal-fired power plants.
“Coal-by-wire” would definitely boost the development of a domestic market for low-grade coal. Today, our market for coal is very thin as we are one of the world’s leading exporters of thermal coal of a high quality in the international market.
Our exports have increased very significantly within the past decade on account of demand from fast-growing Asian economies. More than 80 percent of our coal currently produced is exported.
Indeed, coal is currently the most important source of energy for our economy. For decades coal has accounted for more than half of our power-generation capacity. And this will continue for a half century to come before alternative and cleaner energy sources other than coal become affordably available.
Our economy is also growing, and of course will require more electricity power and therefore coal – challenges that have to be met. Electricity generation now consumes close to 75 million tons per year, and will almost triple in the next 10 to 15 years.
However, domestic use of coal today notoriously suffers from infrastructure bottlenecks. Congested barges and ports, as well as a shortage of railways limit the transportation of coal from coalmines in two coal-producing regions, Kalimantan and Sumatra, to demand centers in Java-Bali, where most of our power plants are located.
The majority of our coal reserves in the two regions are located in landlocked areas that require rail transportation infrastructure to reach ports for export.
Either truck haul or rail is needed to transport the coal to barge ports and terminals.
Truck operating costs are about twice that of rail, but existing rail transportation infrastructure is severely insufficient.
Indonesia’s attempts to improve coal-transport infrastructure for the domestic market have not been very successful. Dedicated coal ports in Kalimantan have been planned for many years, but implementation has again faced bottleneck issues.
Specialized railways for coal in Sumatra have also been initiated, but this concept is still under development and has not yet received a higher-level mandate or legal authorization.
Delays in expanding the capacity of barge and transportation infrastructure cause inefficiencies and high transportation costs in domestic coal utilization. These high costs and infrastructure bottlenecks have held back the development of the domestic market for coal.
Our high-voltage transmission lines are also astonishingly limited. The state-owned electricity company (PLN) operates approximately 40,000 kilometers of transmission lines, with less than 15 percent of this total serving the island of Sumatra.
If we can build more mine-mouth, coal-fired power generation plants we will need to expand our transmission network across the island, interconnected to other transmission systems in Java-Bali.
A new set of lines of a high-voltage of 500 kilovolts and medium-voltage of 275 kV needs to be developed as a backbone network across the island, i.e. providing long-distance, reliable and stable transmission.
The distribution system and transformer capacity also need to be expanded to service a larger coverage of costumers and demand centers.
We are required also to develop an interconnected transmission system, as existing electricity transmission is not compatible across regions due to different systems and manufacturer standards adopted in the past.
The current initiative of developing inter-island interconnection lines between Java and Sumatra with 500kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines needs to be completed in harmony with the mine-mouth development.
These long-distance transmission and distribution lines, as well as interconnected systems are required to exist before a system of mine-mouth power plants is commissioned to ensure that electricity produced can be transmitted in a timely manner and with minimum cost.
Both the central and local governments must work hand-in-hand to endorse incentives to encourage the private sector — independent power producers (IPPs) — to develop mine-mouth power plants.
Incentives need to be designed to enhance the financial viability of IPPs’ mine-mouth power plant projects.
PLN as an off-taker of IPP plays a fundamental role as the “coal-by-wire” agent, and has to be ready to absorb all of the risks associated with the development and operation of the system, including the difficulties in land acquisition and intra-regional compatibility of transmission systems.
Sumatra with its huge resources of low-grade coal can secure its own electricity supply and, eventually, can be the source of low-cost electricity with its energy radiating not only to Java, but also to every corner of the country.
Source: The Jakarta Post
The writer is deputy for energy and mineral resources at the office of Coordinating Economic Minister.
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
|
|
Wednesday, 15 October 14
SHIPOWNER NOT LIABLE FOR CARGO DAMAGE RESULTING FROM POOR STOWAGE - CLYDE & CO
KNOWLEDGE TO ELEVATE
Russian metal trading company Yuzhny Zavod Metall Profil (YZMP), the holder of a CONGEN 1994 bill of lading, took delivery o ...
Wednesday, 15 October 14
NEWCASTLE SHIPPED 13.96 MILLION TONS OF COAL IN SEPTEMBER; UP 5.72%
COALspot.com: The Port of Newcastle, Australia’s major trading ports and the world’s largest coal export port, has shipped $1,227.7 wor ...
Tuesday, 14 October 14
KING COAL UNDER ATTACK? - EVA TZIMA
With the last quarter of the year being well underway and with no strong signs that the Dry Bulk market could be ready for a big positive reversal, ...
Tuesday, 14 October 14
THE NEW CHINESE TRANSPORTATION TAX LAW: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR GREEK SHIPPING? - DELOITTE
China has recently promulgated a new law which imposes tax on profits from freights of inbound routes. The objective of the new tax law titled &ldq ...
Monday, 13 October 14
CHINESE COAL IMPORT TARIFFS YET ANOTHER BLOW TO AUSTRALIAN COAL EXPORTS - TIM BUCKLEY
COALspot.com: China’s unexpected move to reintroduce thermal coal import tariffs of 6% will have a materially negative impact on the viabilit ...
|
|
|
Showing 3431 to 3435 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- VISA Power Limited - India
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- The University of Queensland
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- PTC India Limited - India
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Australian Coal Association
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Planning Commission, India
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- White Energy Company Limited
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
|
| |
| |
|
