Page 14 - AsiaElec Week 25 2021

AsiaElec NEWS IN BRIEF AsiaElec

overcome for them to be used in Singapore.

SOL AR
ADB approves refinancing

for Vietnam’s solar plant

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has
approved $160.5mn to refinance the 240-MW
Dau Tieng 2 Tay Ninh solar power project in
Vietnam.
The approved financing structure include
$24.5m from ADB, a $128m syndicated loan
(B loan) and $8m from Leading Asia’s Private
Infrastructure Fund (LEAP).
The Dau Tieng 2 is part of the 420MW
The Australia’s Clean Energy Council, the said the National Climate Change Secretariat Dau Tieng solar complex with its total cost at
nation’s main renewables lobbying group, (NCCS), Economic Development Board $393m which was developed by Thailand’s B.
said in a statement: “It is the Clean Energy (EDB), Energy Market Authority (EMA), Grimm and Vietnam’s construction company
Council’s understanding that the federal Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and Xuan Cau. Dau Tieng 1 and Dau Tieng 2
minister for the environment has rejected the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. started commercial operation in 2019. Dau
expanded proposal for this project prior to the These emerging technologies are crucial Tieng 3 plant, with the designed capacity of
completion of detailed environmental studies. for helping Singapore to decarbonise, as the 150MW, is expected to be completed during
“The Clean Energy Council is seeking Republic has few options for cutting its carbon 2021-2025.
urgent clarification from the minister to footprint. Dau Tieng is considered as the largest
address the perception that this decision is “As an alternative energy disadvantaged solar project of its kind in southeast Asia. It is
inconsistent with well-established processes or country, we expect these technologies to reported being able to produce around 688m
with the treatment of non-renewable projects.” play important roles in our transition to a kWh each year which is enough to meet the
low-carbon future,” the bodies said in a joint power needs of around 320,000 homes.
statement. Infrastructure expert John Yeap of Pinsent
The ability to harness the sun’s energy, for Masons aid: “The approval by ADB of this
HYDROGEN instance, is limited in a highly built-up, small facility, which comes soon after the IFC
country that lacks land for large solar farms. approved its financing of two onshore wind
Singapore explores Rooftop solar panels could also be shaded by farms in Vietnam, is a positive endorsement
on the finance ability of the Vietnamese
other buildings.
hydrogen, carbon capture given Singapore’s limited renewable energy onshore renewables contractual framework.
The feasibility study had concluded that
With Vietnam pivoting away from coal,
technologies resources, it is challenging for the country onshore renewables will play an increasingly
important role, which may reinforce the
to produce green hydrogen at scale using
Singapore is looking to reduce its reliance domestic green electricity. confidence in and the viability of these
on fossil fuels by exploring low-carbon “Singapore would need to explore various projects.”
alternatives. supply pathways for price-competitive low- “However, as installed capacity of
Two studies had been commissioned by carbon hydrogen,” said the statement. intermittent generation increases, investments
government energy bodies to look into two The NCCS, EDB and EMA are studying into grid upgrades will also be required to
options, and the authorities yesterday gave an whether hydrogen can be imported via ships fully release the potential for such projects.
update on their findings. or pipes, or whether it can be produced in a There is no doubt an important role here, and
The studies had looked at the feasibility of low-carbon way domestically. arguably an even more important one, for
using hydrogen as a fuel and deploying carbon This includes, for instance, conducting the development agencies as well,” he said.
capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) electrolysis of water using imported renewable In 2020, ADB provided $27.9m loan to
technologies. energy, or by pairing CCUS technologies with this project, among a $148.8m B loan funded
Hydrogen is considered a cleaner fuel as it steam methane reforming - a process that by commercial banks and a $9.3m loan from
produces no planet-warming carbon dioxide releases CO2. LEAP.
(CO2) when burned, while CCUS gives the The study also found that other technical PINSENT MASONS
option of capturing emitted CO2 and storing and economic challenges could hinder
or converting it into useful substances. widespread hydrogen use, including the need
“The studies highlighted the pathways for for infrastructural support for the transport,
low-carbon hydrogen and CCUS that could storage and use of the gas.
be relevant for Singapore, and the barriers to The other study on CCUS technologies
deployment that would need to be overcome,” had found other obstacles that need to be

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