Thailand orders bureaucrats in its energy-saving drive to use stairs instead of elevators and to work from home
A government spokesperson said that the Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had ordered civil servants to conserve energy due to the energy crisis caused by the Middle East conflict. This included suspending overseas trips and using the stairs instead of elevators. Lalida Periswiwatana, a spokesperson for the prime minister, told reporters that civil servants must now work from home. However, officials who serve the public will be exempted.
Officials say that Indonesia will increase the mandatory bioethanol content in gasoline from 5% to 10% by 2028.
Tri Winarno, a senior official in the energy ministry, said that Indonesia will impose a 10% bioethanol content requirement for gasoline by 2028. Indonesia aims to increase the use of biofuels produced from palm oil or sugar cane in order to reduce imports, and to become more energy independent. Despite the ethanol shortage, it has decided to delay its plans to increase the bioethanol content in gasoline.
Vietnam is willing to increase US purchases, says the trade minister as new tariff talks begin
Vietnam's trade minister said that the country is ready to increase its purchases of U.S. products, particularly machinery and high-tech items. The Southeast Asian nation has begun a sixth round of tariff negotiation in Washington, this week. According to a ministry statement, Trade Minister Le Manh Hung held meetings with executives of Apple, Exxon Mobil and GE as well as Excelerate Energy and 'AES.
Officials claim that Indonesian President did not consult the energy ministry before revoking China's hydro permit.
Eniya Listeiani Dewi said that the Indonesian energy ministry had not been consulted before the President Prabowo decided to revoke a permit for a 'China-backed'?hydroelectric plant on Sumatra Island. The government announced on Tuesday that 28 companies had their permits revoked for environmental violations. These were alleged to have worsened the deadly floods of last year in Sumatra. The companies include PT North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NSHE)…
In Indonesia, environmental laws result in the loss of permits for a gold mine and a power plant owned by China.
The Indonesian government revoked permits for 28 companies, including a China-backed hydropower station and a gold mining unit operated by the conglomerate Astra International. This was in response to accusations that environmental violations had worsened floods last year. In late November, cyclones caused floods and "landslides" on the island Sumatra. The flooding and "landslides" destroyed homes and forced over a half-million residents to flee their homes.
In Indonesia, environmental laws result in the loss of permits for a gold mine and a power plant owned by China.
The Jakarta government revoked permits for 28 companies on Tuesday. They were accused of environmental violations that worsened the floods in 'last year. Floods and landslides caused by a cyclone on the island Sumatra late in November killed over 1,200 people and destroyed homes. Over a million people were displaced. Environmental experts say the destruction was exacerbated by deforestation rampantly carried out to make room for mines and plantations.
Indonesia will increase palm oil export tax if it abandons its plan to introduce B50 Biodiesel in this year.
Indonesia has scrapped plans to introduce a mandatory B50 palm oil-based fuel this year, and will instead stick with B40 due to "funding and technical concerns", government officials announced on Wednesday. This eases concerns about strains on palm oil supplies globally. Indonesia had planned to launch B50, a blend of palm oil-based 50% biodiesel with 50% conventional diesel in the second half this year. The B40 blend, which is 40% palm oil-based, will continue to be the standard.
Minister: Indonesian B50 Biodiesel launch is subject to crude oil and CPO prices
A senior official stated on Tuesday that the timing of Indonesia's B50 biodiesel mandate - which blends 50% palm oil with diesel - will be subject to the difference in price between crude oil & crude palm oil. Indonesia, which is the largest palm oil producer in the world, had previously set the goal to "start the B50 mandate" by the second half 2026. The current mandate is 40% blend. The palm oil export levies are used to subsidise the country's biodiesel program.
Indonesia considers increasing the palm oil export tax to support biodiesel mandate
Eniya?Listiani Dewi, an official in the energy ministry, told reporters on Thursday that Indonesia would likely increase its palm?oil export levy to help support biodiesel production. She cited tightening finances. Indonesia, as the largest palm oil exporter, has introduced a 40% biodiesel blend that is mandatory. This blend is known as B40 and it's the highest blending ratio in the world. It aims to increase the blend by 50% later this year.
Indonesia allocates 15,65 million kilolitres for biodiesel in 2026
An official from the Indonesia Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry told us on Tuesday that the Ministry had signed a decree allowing it to allocate 15.65 million kilograms of palm biodiesel in order to meet its fuel blend mandate by 2026. 7,45 million KL of the total allocation has been allocated for public service obligations (PSO), covering sectors like public transportation, whose sales are subsidised by the palm oil fund.
Malaysian palm oil producers Felda and FGV are able to resume their Terengganu operations after the state granted a one-month extension.
The Federal Land Development Authority of Malaysia (Felda), and its commercial arm FGV holdings Berhad, will resume operations at their palm-oil plantations in Terengganu following a month's extension to resolving a land dispute. Following a positive conversation with the state authorities, Felda and FGV can now concentrate on increasing yields, strengthening settler families' incomes, and community development in these areas. FGV delisted from the stock exchange in August.
Freeport Indonesia aims to produce 478,000 tons copper cathode in 2026
Freeport Indonesia will produce 478, 000 metric tons copper cathode, and 26 tons gold by 2026. This is lower than the initial plan, due to a recovery process that continues following a mudflow accident. Chief executive Tony Wenas announced this on Monday. Seven workers were killed by a mudflow in September in Freeport's Grasberg Block Cave. The mine, which produces the bulk of the Grasberg Complex output, was forced to suspend operations.
BP Indonesia imports fuel from Pertamina to replenish after a shortage, the company reports.
BP's Indonesian fuel station operator said that it imported base fuel through a unit of Indonesian state energy company Pertamina. This was to replenish supplies following a shortage which has been plaguing private retailers in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. BP Indonesia, BP-AKR and Shell have both reported that they are experiencing inventory shortages of certain gasoline products. This has been happening since late August.
Minister: Indonesia will introduce bioethanol blend gasoline as a mandatory requirement in 2027
Indonesia will impose a 10% bioethanol content requirement for gasoline by 2027 as part of its efforts to reduce its dependence on fuel imports, said its Energy Minister. Southeast Asia aims to increase the use of palm oil and sugarcane biofuels to become energy self-sufficient. But ethanol supply issues have delayed the country's plans to mandate bioethanol in gasoline. Bahlil lahadalia, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia…
Singapore signss 3-GW green energy deals with Malaysia
According to joint announcements released on Friday, Singapore and Malaysia have signed two agreements for the supply of electricity across borders. This could allow Singapore to access up to three gigawatts (or more) of low-carbon power generation capacity. According to the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry and Malaysia’s Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, Singapore…
ASEAN adopts action plan for increasing renewable electricity to 45% share by 2030
As part of its efforts to transition to renewable energy, the Southeast Asian regional bloc ASEAN endorsed a plan that will increase the share from renewable electricity to 45% over the next 5 years. Malaysia's Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation announced in a Thursday statement that the plan would increase the share of renewables to 30% of its primary energy supply. On Thursday…
Danantara Indonesia, a sovereign fund, will launch waste-to power projects in the next month
Rosan Roeslani, the chief executive of Danantara Indonesia, announced on Tuesday that the fund plans to start waste-to power projects in Jakarta, other major cities of Java and Bali. He said that the projects were designed to address a waste problem in many areas of Indonesia. Rosan stated that the waste-to energy programme would be implemented in 33 cities. However, the first priority will be in Jakarta, where four or five locations will be established.
Indonesia's mining minister claims that the Indonesian mining industry has halted all mining at Freeport to look for trapped miners.
The Indonesian government and Freeport Indonesia have reached an agreement to halt the Grasberg Mine's operations to prioritize the search for trapped miners, said the mining minister of the country on Friday. Seven workers were trapped in a large mudflow at the Grasberg Block Cave Underground Mine earlier this month. Freeport reported that two of the seven workers found dead were discovered on September 20.
Petronas confirms its gas supply commitments following Malaysian court victory
The Malaysian state-owned energy company Petronas stated on Wednesday that they remain committed to meeting their contractual obligations and maintaining a reliable gas supply for customers following a Court of Appeal decision that favored the firm in a case with Shell MDS Malaysia. Petronas has welcomed the decision of the High Court to overturn an injunction that would have allowed Shell…
Indonesia will tighten ethanol imports according to the Agriculture Minister
Amran Sulaiman, Indonesia's Agriculture Minister, said that the country will tighten its controls on ethanol imports. This is to support farmers who have been hit by the fall in molasses prices, which are a major feedstock. He didn't say when his policy would be implemented. Indonesia is trying to implement a mandatory mix of bioethanol and gasoline to reduce fuel imports, carbon emissions and to reduce fuel costs.