Content
- Power of Unity-NE Asia Energy
- GHG Reduction Scenarios
- Nuclear Safety
- Japan-PRC Relations
- PRC International Energy Deals
- RFE-Japan LNG Deal
- PRC Hydroelectric
- US and PRC Oil Demand
1. Power of Unity-NE Asia Energy
The 2006 Working Group on Energy Cooperation in Northeast Asia (Kensuke Kanekiyo, “POWER OF UNITY/POWER OF SCALE,” February 7, 2006) released this presentation by Kensuke Kanekikyo, Managing Director at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, from the February 5-7, 2006 meeting organized by NEAEF and in cooperation with JCPAEC and KEEI. The presentation explores options for energy cooperation in terms of the Northeast Asian energy market as an aggregate of member countries. The author suggests that the powers of unity and scale that would come with cooperation would be an advantage economically and would enhance energy security in the region.
Read presentation here.
2. GHG Reduction Scenarios
Stanford University Program on Energy and Sustainable Development (M. Jackson, S. Joy, T. Heller, D. Victor, “GREENHOUSE GAS IMPLICATIONS IN LARGE SCALE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: EXAMPLES FROM CHINA AND INDIA,” March 17, 2006) released this paper in response to the need to engage developing countries to create “meaningful international regimes to address climate change. [The authors] assert that this engagement requires developed countries to broker greenhouse gas emissions abatement plans that accommodate developing countries’ energy and development goals. [The paper] explore(s) two deals: the first to replace coal-fired electricity capacity with natural gas in China, and the second to develop India’s nuclear power program. [The] analysis indicates that these energy infrastructure investments have the potential to bring about substantial CO2 emissions reductions, and underscore the need for further, more robust analysis of these and similar deals.”
Visit the Program on Energy and Sustainable Development (PESD) at Stanford website here.
3. Nuclear Safety
The Korea Herald (Park Chang-Kue, “KOREA MAINTAINS STRONG NUCLEAR SAFETY, CONTROL SYSTEM,” April 21, 2006) released this article written by Park Chang-Kue, President of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Park writes, “Nuclear energy is contributing greatly to the national economy and to the welfare of citizens through a stable and cheap energy supply. Nuclear energy also strengthens the competitiveness of the nation’s industries. Korea pursues the peaceful use of nuclear energy in R&D and power generation. Korea has maintained a strong nuclear safety and control system to build transparency and credibility. The government will continue to cooperate with the international community in striving for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nonproliferation.”
Financial Times Information (“IAEA’S NUCLEAR SAFETY GROUP TO HOLD MEETING IN SEOUL,” April 19, 2006) reported that a nuclear safety advisory group to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U. N. nuclear watchdog, will convene in Seoul this week to discuss ways to improve safety involving nuclear power, the Science Ministry said Tuesday. The three-day meeting by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group (INSAG) to exchange ideas on improving nuclear energy safety will begin Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
4. Japan-PRC Relations
Agence France Presse (“JAPAN, CHINA RESOLVE SHIP BAN DISPUTE BUT REMAIN AT ODDS,” April 18, 2006) reported that Japan said Tuesday that China had promised to revise a ban on ships in disputed gas-rich waters, ending the latest dispute between the Asian powers but triggering fresh criticism here of Beijing. China had declared that only its own ships involved in energy development could enter the area straddling the two countries’ exclusive economic zones in the East China Sea from March 1 until September 30. After Japan pressed for clarification, China blamed a technical error in the delineation of its no-sail zone.
Read article here.
Kyodo News Service (“JAPANESE GOV’T, FIRMS TO HELP CHINA SAVE ENERGY,” April 20, 2006) reported that the Japanese government and major companies will begin to help China save energy on the occasion of a bilateral ministerial forum to be held next month to discuss technologies for environmental protection, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday. The forum will pave the way for providing China with cutting-edge energy-saving technologies Japan has accumulated by realizing a 30 percent cut in energy consumption since the 1970s when the world was rocked by oil crises, the sources said.
5. PRC International Energy Deals
Agence France Presse (“ENERGY, DEFENSE DEALS INKED AS CHINA PRESIDENT VISITS SAUDI,” April 22, 2006) reported that China and Saudi Arabia signed energy, defense and security deals Saturday on the first day of a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao to the oil-rich kingdom focusing on economic and energy cooperation. The Chinese leader also discussed a proposed 5.2-billion-dollar energy venture in China with officials of Saudi petrochemical giant SABIC.
Asia Pulse (“SINO-PAK ENERGY FORUM SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 25-26,” April 27, 2006) reported that the first meeting of the newly formed Pak-China Energy Forum will be held here from April 25 to 26 to devise long-term energy co-operation between the two countries. Official sources in the Petroleum and Natural Resources Ministry told Business Recorder here last week that a Chinese delegation was expected in the third week of April. Petroleum and Natural Resources Secretary Ahmed Waqar will lead the Pakistani side during the meeting.
6. RFE-Japan LNG Deal
Prime-Tass Business News (“SAKHALIN ENERGY, JAPAN’S HIROSHIMA GAS SIGN 20-YEAR LNG DEAL,” April 20, 2006) reported that Sakhalin Energy, the operator of the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project near Russia’s Sakhalin Island, and Japanese gas utility Hiroshima Gas have signed a 20-year agreement under which Sakhalin Energy is to supply annually 210,000 tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan’s prefecture of Hiroshima, the Sakhalin Region government’s press service said Thursday, ITAR-TASS reported. The company plans to supply LNG from a plant that is currently being constructed in the village of Prigorodnoye on the southern part of Sakhalin Island.
7. PRC Hydroelectric
Agence France Presse (“CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON POWER STATION ON CHINA’S YELLOW RIVER,” April 16, 2006) reported that China began work Sunday on a 1.79 billion dollar hydroelectric project which will become the biggest dam on the Yellow River, state media reported. Work began on the Laxiwa Hydroelectric Station in the remote northwestern province of Qinghai, Xinhua news agency reported. The 250 meter-high (825 foot) dam, the highest on the Yellow River, is expected to have 4,200 megawatts of installed generation capacity and will be able to produce 10.22 billion kilowatt hours annually, the report said.
8. US and PRC Oil Demand
The New York Times (D. Sanger, “CHINA’S RISING NEED FOR OIL IS HIGH ON U.S. AGENDA,” April 29, 2006) reported that the competition for access to oil is emerging high on the agenda for President Hu Jintao’s visit to the White House this week. President Bush has called China’s growing demand for oil one reason for rising prices, and has warned Beijing against trying to ”lock up” global supplies. With crude oil selling for more than $70 a barrel and American motorists paying $3 a gallon for gasoline, American officials say the subject cannot be avoided at Thursday’s meeting in the Oval Office, as it was sidestepped when Mr. Bush visited Beijing last fall.
Read article here.