Asia Energy

Committed to reducing its carbon intensity by 40% by 2020, Malaysia is currently facing some tough decisions on whether natural gas or coal will be the best energy source to meet its rapidly growing consumption needs and looming environmental targets.

Investors have put concerns about political uncertainty in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to one side, encouraged by the keen interest buyers are showing in the country’s natural gas blocks and major new finds.

The construction of a geothermal power plant in Sabah has massive potential to boost the Malaysian state’s economy, while paving the way for other major developments in renewable energy.

Thai consumers are beginning to feel the effects of the government’s decision to liberalise compressed natural gas (CNG) prices with the aim of bringing retail costs in line with the global market and potentially freeing up government funds for use in other sectors.

In subtropical South-east Asian climates, where air conditioning accounts for about 50% of a building’s energy use and up to 30% of operating costs, energy efficiency requires keeping cold air inside and hot air out. Some sector participants estimate that improvements to the “building envelope” can reduce the energy required to cool a building by 50-80%.