Page 11 - AsiaElec Week 50 2020

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other blocks in Tampines over the next two
months under the pilot, which will last about
six months.

RENEWABLES
China commits to 1,200GW

of wind and solar by 2030

COAL blocks include Adani Enterprises, Vedanta, China will boost its installed capacity of wind
Hindalco Industries and Jindal Power. and solar power to more than 1,200 GW by
India approves bids for four 2030, and increase the share of non-fossil fuels
in primary energy consumption to around
coal blocks RENEWABLES 25% during the same period, President Xi
Jinping said on Saturday.
The Indian coal ministry has again invited “Today, I wish to announce some further
bids for four coal blocks whose tender process Eco boards to track utilities commitments for 2030,” Xi told a one-day
was annulled in the first round of auction virtual U.N. climate change summit via video,
for commercial mining, as the number of usage at five blocks in before announcing the targets.
technically qualified bidder for each mine was “China always honours its commitments.”
just one. Singapore He also said china would reduce carbon
Of the four coal blocks, three are in Odisha intensity by over 65% by 2030 (compared to
and one is in Jharkhand. Residents from about 633 households staying its initial commitment of 60-65%). it was at
“The nominated authority conducted the in five Housing Board blocks in Tampines can 48.1% at the end of 2019;
first attempt of 11th tranche of auction under now track their blocks’ utilities usage at “eco Beijing also plans to increase non-fossil
CM(SP) Act and 1st tranche of auction under boards” installed at their lift lobbies under a energy to around 25% by 2030 (compared to
the MMDR Act of identified coal mines/ pilot programme. 20% in their current target). It was at 15.3% at
blocks vide tender document dated June The digital boards provide real-time the end of 2019;
18, 2020,” the coal ministry said in a notice figures of the block’s aggregated water and It aims to increase forest stock volume to
inviting tender. electricity consumption and the resulting 6bcm by 2030 (compared to 4.5bcm in their
It added that as the number of technically carbon emissions generated over the previous current target). It was approximately 4.5bcm
qualified bidders for the tender was less 24 hours. at the end of 2019.
than 2 for Chendipada, Chendipada-II and They also offer residents tips on lowering
Kuraloi (A) North coal mines in Odisha and their utilities consumption and will let them
Seregarha block in Jharkhand, the process was take part in energy-saving challenges through
annulled. competitions with other blocks. HYDRO
The blocks, which are fully explored, have Speaking at the launch event yesterday
an annual peak-rated capacity of 52mn tonnes morning at Block 878A in Tampines Thai government threaten
(MT). Avenue 8, Minister for Social and Family
“The nominated authority is initiating the Development Masagos Zulkifli said the to boycott new Lao hydro
second attempt of auction of these coal mines eco boards are part of the Tampines Town
with the same terms and conditions as in the Council’s effort to make the estate Singapore’s electric dam project
first annulled attempt of auction,” the ministry first “eco town”.
said. Mr Masagos, who is the MP for the Laos officials have announced the
The auction of blocks for commercial Tampines West ward of Tampines GRC, noted announcement of yet another Laos hydro
mining has opened India’s coal sector to that Singapore is aiming to reduce the amount electric dam and Thai authorities aren’t
private players. of water used by households to 130 litres per happy. The long list of Laos and Chinese
The first-ever auction of coal mines person daily by 2030, down from the current dams along the Mekong River have hugely
for commercial mining witnessed “fierce amount of about 140 litres daily. affected the life of communities downstream
competition”. “To get there, there are a lot of things of the Mekong in Thailand, Cambodia and
Earlier, Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said 19 that need to be done. First, we need to get Vietnam. And Laos. The Lao PDR has been
auctioned mines will generate total revenues information to our residents for them to know described as South East Asia’s ‘battery’ and has
of around ?7,000 crore per annum and how they compare with others in terms of been building hydro electric dams at speed
create more than 69,000 jobs once they are usage and what they can do to reduce their in recent decades, sometimes with disastrous
operationalised. water usage over time.” consequences.
In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Three other Tampines GRC MPs - Ms They’ve question the potential
launched the auction process for 41 coal Cheng Li Hui, Mr Desmond Choo and Mr environmental impact of the planned
blocks for commercial mining. Some of the Baey Yam Keng - also attended the launch. Sanakham hydroelectric dam in Laos between
large corporate groups that have bagged More eco boards will be installed at five Xayaburi and Vientiane, and say they could

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