Energy

Hopes of a path towards energy independence in the Philippines are gathering pace thanks to encouraging steps forward at the Malolos-1 onshore well in Cebu. Australian oil firm Gas2Grid said in July it is in the process of applying to the Department of Energy (DoE) to increase production for a full appraisal of the field.

With its significant reserves of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Egypt has been a key exporter for regional consumers over the past decade but with growing domestic consumption and a number of fiscal constraints, the country has been looking to secure additional supplies by expanding LNG capacity.

In a move to tap into its vast geothermal energy resources, Kenya recently invited bids for the construction of two new power plants, representing another step forward in its 2017 target to boost electricity production by 5000MW.

A renewed focus on developing the tourism and industrial sectors has driven a construction boom in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and led to the development of a host of industrial, residential, commercial and retail spaces. To support this growth, the government has at the same time invested in basic electricity, water and sewer networks.

Changes to Mongolia’s mining legislation will open up vast new tracts of land for exploration and pave the way for new licence issuances. This should help restore the confidence of foreign investors made wary by government intervention in the sector.

The future of solar energy in Malaysia received a powerful boost on June 16 with the commissioning of the country’s largest solar power plant to date. The project’s operator, Malaysia-based Amcorp Group, awarded the production of the power plant’s solar panels to Chinese manufacturer Yingli Green Energy Holding Company. The project spans an area of almost 14 ha and will require some 40,000 photovoltaic (PV) units, which are estimated to produce 13.6m KWh of electricity annually.