Vietnam's first imports of liquefied natural gas reached PetroVietnam Gas' Thi Vai terminal this month. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Energy

Vietnam, Philippines heat up LNG demand in Southeast Asia

With renewables lagging, countries seek more accessible alternative to coal

14 July 2023
China is the top producer of processed copper, cobalt, lithium, graphite and rare earths, and the second largest processor of nickel after Indonesia, according to an International Energy Agency report. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Commodities

China joins global hunt to diversify mineral supplies: IEA

Dominance in refining, processing makes it strong competitor for mining assets

11 July 2023
"The potential growth of SOEs is massive," Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir said in an interview. (Photo by Dimas Ardian) 
Interview

Three Indonesia state company IPOs could raise $3bn total: minister

But Pertamina's upstream unit and Pupuk Kaltim still assessing market conditions

7 July 2023
An oil tanker sails near Nakhodka, Russia: Crude oil from Russia accounted for about 40% of India's total feedstock imports for its refineries in May.
Opinion

India's Russian oil buying spree isn't anything to worry about

Discounts may not last, but New Delhi can always return to usual suppliers

6 July 2023
IAEA Secretary-General Rafael Grossi, left, speaks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on July 4
Environment

Japan preparing to release Fukushima water into sea from August

IAEA has given go-ahead for move, but neighboring countries still concerned

5 July 2023
These tanks hold water treated by an advanced liquid processing system at the disabled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in the town of Okuma, Fukushima prefecture, Japan.
Politics

Is it safe to release Fukushima water into sea? 3 things to know

Japan hopes IAEA report sways opponents of plan to dump treated waste

4 July 2023
A dome is installed over a Hualong One nuclear reactor in China in 2018 -- the same type being exported to Pakistan.
Energy

China positions Pakistan as nuclear power export springboard

Experts say Beijing has something to prove with $4.8bn project in struggling nation

2 July 2023
The Japanese government aims for the country to have 10,000 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 -- the equivalent of 10 nuclear reactors. (Photo by Yasuki Okamoto)
Energy

Japan offshore wind power auction seen drawing bids from Itochu, Tokyo Gas

About 20 companies expected to join competition for projects totaling $7bn

30 June 2023
Wastewater has been stored in an ever-growing number of temporary tanks since a 2011 tsunami triggered reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
Environment

Fukushima water release draws near as Japan PM to meet IAEA head

Final decision on timing to come after Kishida receives atomic agency's report

29 June 2023
Global efforts to rein in carbon emissions were a focus of discussion at the Energy Asia 2023 conference in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Climate Change

Pertamina, Petronas, PTTEP race to build Asian carbon storage hubs

Southeast Asia oil companies try to decarbonize, grapple with commercialization

28 June 2023
The outlook for liquefied natural gas is a key topic at the Energy Asia 2023 conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Energy

LNG 'inequality' bites as Europe takes supply from Asia

South and Southeast Asia returning to coal amid blackout risks from gas shortage

27 June 2023
Toyota sees many options besides electric vehicles that can help decarbonize the transport sector. It is eager to develop hydrogen technology to power fuel cell vehicles.
Automobiles

Toyota to make hydrogen out of waste from Thailand's CP, others

Automaker tests equipment for project to decarbonize Thai trucks

26 June 2023
Speakers at Energy Asia 2023 included, left to right, OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and S&P Global Vice Chairman Daniel Yergin. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Energy

Despite renewables optimism, oil and gas remain vital: Yergin

OPEC chief tells Energy Asia event all resources needed for energy security

26 June 2023
The industry will need annual production of 449 billion liters of sustainable aviation fuel if it is to reach its net-zero goal. Last year's production was slightly above 300 million liters.
Transportation

Asia plays catch-up in race for sustainable aviation fuel

Neste's biofuel refinery in Singapore now has annual capacity of 1.26bn liters

26 June 2023
Bangladesh's first deepwater port will be built here near the Matarbari coal-fired plant, which is nearing completion. (Photo by Toru Takahashi)
International relations

Japan funding fuels development boom on Bangladesh coast

New power plant and port come at crucial point in country's economic development

26 June 2023
Bangladesh, India and Nepal are expected to soon finalize an agreement that would allow power sharing across Indian transmission lines. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
International relations

Bangladesh, India, Nepal near 'milestone' electricity trade deal

Arrangement hailed as step toward South Asian energy sustainability

25 June 2023
Floating axis wind turbines require smaller platforms than conventional floating turbines, making them cheaper to install. (Image courtesy of Albatross Technology)
Climate Change

Team Japan bets on next-gen floating wind turbine to slash costs

'Floating axis' model suited for offshore farms in deep waters

24 June 2023
Japan wants to bolster its infrastructure for transmitting renewable power across different regions. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Energy

Japan's renewables drive sparks new investment by Sumitomo Electric

Power cable maker to spend $278m on expanding domestic production

24 June 2023
Thai state-owned energy group PTT is branching out into electric vehicles.
Energy

Thailand's PTT triples 2023 investments to $2.6bn ahead of EV rollout

Energy group's Horizon Plus unit aims to produce first vehicles next year

23 June 2023
The refinery's utilization rate has improved, and its operating company was able to secure an operating profit. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Energy

Vietnam's top oil refinery to avert shutdown as cash flow improves

Project led by Japan's Idemitsu expected to make November debt payment

22 June 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brushed aside Western criticism of his country's Russian oil purchases as he pushes for "strategic autonomy." 
Comment

How India's Modi helped save the West by buying Russian oil

World may have faced economic crisis without India playing role of villain

19 June 2023
A multi-turbine system can theoretically generate more power than a single-turbine unit of similar size, according to researchers. (Image courtesy of Kyushu University)
Technology

Cluster-type wind turbines emerge as new energy source

Kyushu University plans to start trials of offshore units by 2028

18 June 2023
TEPCO Renewable Power is working on a floating offshore wind project in Europe. (Photo courtesy of TEPCO Renewable Power)
Energy

Japan's TEPCO to pour $7bn into renewable energy by fiscal 2030

Power company focuses on big offshore wind farms at home and abroad

17 June 2023
Chinese yuan and Russian ruble banknotes. The yuan is emerging as an alternative to the dollar now that financial sanctions in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine have kicked Russia out of the dollar settlement network.
Ukraine war

Russia pays Sakhalin dividends in Chinese yuan

Western sanctions on Moscow cast shadow on dollar hegemony

15 June 2023
Textile and apparel companies display goods at a trade show in Ho Chi Minh City: Manufacturers are grappling with weaker foreign demand and domestic turmoil. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Economy

Vietnam grapples with shrinking exports, power crunch

Economists downgrade forecasts, saying country 'not out of woods yet'

14 June 2023