AsiaElec - Asia Power
Fuel hikes in Vietnam hit ride drivers’ earnings
Ride-hailing drivers in Ho Chi Minh City are facing shrinking incomes as soaring petrol prices outpace the short-term support offered by app platforms.
Thai authorities seize 20,000 litres of diesel near Myanmar border
Thai officials have detained two suspects after intercepting a large diesel shipment allegedly destined for Myanmar amid tightening fuel supplies at home.
Fuel shortages prompt Myanmar to tighten purchase limits
Myanmar is tightening fuel controls as shortages worsen, introducing a barcode and QR code system to limit purchases and manage supplies amid global oil price pressures.
Thailand braces for higher electricity bills as LNG costs climb
Thailand is preparing for a potential rise in electricity tariffs as soaring liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices push up power generation costs.
Cambodia faces LPG shortage, urges citizens to use electricity
Cambodia is grappling with a tightening liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply, prompting officials to urge households to switch to electric appliances.
Bangladesh looks for more than $2bn in funding to ease fuel, LNG woes
Bangladesh is looking for in excess of $2bn in external financing to help secure fuel and LNG imports, as the government led by new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman moves to stabilise the economy.
Indonesia criticised for low carbon tax as emissions cost seen as far higher
Indonesia has yet to fully utilise its carbon tax as a tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite the policy being widely used in other countries and considered one of the most effective ways to cut carbon output
Taiwan considers nuclear restart to fuel AI power demand
President Lai Ching-te signaled Taiwan may restart decommissioned nuclear plants to satisfy the massive energy requirements of the AI sector, he said in Taichung on March 21.
Sustainable growth market investor Actis acquires 90% stake in Singapore waste firm 800 Super
Growth markets investor Actis has completed the acquisition of a 90% stake in Singapore-based environmental services company 800 Super
Eni invests $15bn in East Kalimantan deepwater gas projects
Italian energy major Eni has taken a final investment decision (FID) on the Geng North and Gendalo-Gandang offshore gas developments in East Kalimantan, committing around $15bn to one of Indonesia’s largest deepwater energy projects in recent years
US backs Indonesia lithium push with $3.9mn grant
The funding will be funneled into a pilot project led by California-based Lilac Solutions at facilities operated by PT Geo Dipa Energi (GDE), Indonesia’s state-owned geothermal developer.
Energy shock, economic woes test Thailand’s new government
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has secured a second term, but his new government inherits a fragile coalition, a struggling economy, and an urgent energy crisis.
Bangladesh seeks $2bn in loans to shore up energy security
Bangladesh is moving to secure nearly $2bn in loans from multilateral lenders as it grapples with mounting energy security concerns driven by rising global fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict.
Thai police expand maritime operations against fuel smuggling
Thai authorities have launched an expanded sea operation to combat fuel smuggling and illegal oil trading, officials announced on March 22.
Laos cuts school week to three days amid fuel crisis
Laos has reduced the school week to three days as authorities scramble to curb energy use during a worsening fuel shortage
Jet fuel shortage forces Myanmar airlines to suspend service
Several airlines in Myanmar have temporarily halted domestic operations as a shortage of jet fuel disrupts flight schedules and ticket sales.
Passengers to Vietnam face surcharges amid fuel spike
More than 60% of international airlines have raised fares or are preparing to do so from mid-March as soaring fuel costs squeeze the aviation sector.
Pakistan absorbs $250mn fuel cost to cushion consumers
Pakistan has taken on a financial burden of PKR69bn ($250mn) to stabilise petroleum product prices and shield consumers from rising costs.
India launches carbon market portal
India formally launched the Indian Carbon Market Portal at the International Conference on Carbon Markets – Prakriti 2026 in New Delhi, marking a major step in operationalising its domestic carbon trading framework.
India crosses 1bn tonne coal output for second straight year
India has once again surpassed the landmark of 1bn tonnes in coal production, achieving the milestone on March 21, 2026.
India eyes Sri Lanka power link
India is exploring regional electricity grid connectivity, including a potential transmission link with Sri Lanka, as part of efforts to deepen cross-border power trade.
Suzuki expands India output with new EV line
The new production line, currently under construction and scheduled for completion between July and September, will be dedicated to electric vehicles.
Boss Energy upgrades uranium resources at Honeymoon satellites in Australia
Boss Energy has reported updated mineral resource estimates for two satellite uranium deposits near its Honeymoon operation in South Australia, indicating a rise in total contained uranium from earlier assessments.
South Korea’s KHNP appoints new president
The appointment brings an end to a period of interim leadership at KHNP, which had been operating under an acting president system led by executive vice-president Jeon Dae-uk since the resignation of the former president.
Indonesia, US sign lithium extraction deal to boost EV supply chain
Indonesia and the United States have signed a cooperation agreement to extract lithium from geothermal brine, marking a step to strengthen global electric vehicle supply chains.
RenewSys expands capacity with new Maharashtra solar plant
With the addition of the Khopoli plant, RenewSys has increased its total solar module manufacturing capacity to 5.6 GW, strengthening its position in India’s domestic solar supply chain.
QatarEnergy warns of potential force majeure on Korean LNG contracts
QatarEnergy may be forced to declare force majeure on long-term LNG contracts with several countries, including South Korea, as supply disruptions persist, according to a report citing the company’s chief executive.
India to double power capacity by 2036
India is projected to more than double its installed power generation capacity from around 520 GW at present to 1,121 GW by 2035-36, with non-fossil fuel sources accounting for nearly 70% of the total.
India's ceramic hub falls silent as Middle East conflict disrupts gas supplies
Most factories in Morbi, the ceramics manufacturing powerhouse in India's Gujarat, have remained shut as fuel shortages linked to the Iran conflict continue to disrupt production.
Mongolia's February coal production reportedly fell back 15% m/m to 8.7mn tonnes
Mongolia's production of coal for all uses reportedly contracted by 14.6% month on month to 8.65mn tonnes in February.
Thai industry urges action on rural fuel shortage
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has appealed to the government to take immediate action to address a growing fuel shortage affecting rural areas. Small-scale oil distributors, known locally as “jobbers”,
Vietnam requests crude and gas supplies from Algeria
Vietnam is seeking additional crude oil and natural gas from Algeria as global energy markets face disruption linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Indonesia coal policy shift could tighten Australian supply
Indonesia is preparing new regulations to prioritise domestic coal supply over exports, a move that could tighten global markets and support higher prices.
Eni approves $5bn Indonesia gas projects
Italian energy group Eni has approved two major offshore gas developments in Indonesia that are expected to produce around 2bn standard cubic feet per day (cf/d) of natural gas, the company said on March 18.
Indonesia opens second waste-to-energy tender after Chinese firms win
Indonesia has opened a second round of tenders for its nationwide waste-to-energy programme after Chinese companies dominated the first bidding process.
Japan petrol prices hit record level
Japan’s average retail petrol price has reached a record JPY190.80 ($1.19) per litre, reflecting higher crude costs linked to the Iran conflict, according to data released on March 18 by the nation’s industry ministry.
Bangladesh turns to coal as LNG crunch deepens
Bangladesh has sharply increased coal-fired power generation this month as an acute LNG shortage disrupts gas-based electricity output, following supply constraints linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Pakistan power output rises 11% in February
Pakistan’s power generation stood at 7,696 GWh in February 2026, marking an 11% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase.
India plans mandatory use of local solar ingots and wafers from June 2028
India is moving to mandate the use of domestically manufactured solar ingots and wafers from June 2028, as part of a broader push to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen its clean energy supply chain.
India’s ReNew Green raises $95mn to expand industrial clean energy portfolio
LeapFrog has committed $50mn to the transaction, with additional backing from the Emerging Market Climate Action Fund and Carlyle AlpInvest.
Philippines lines up $5bn backing for pumped storage projects
The Philippines has secured funding for two pumped storage hydropower projects with a combined investment value of about $5bn, as it steps up efforts to reinforce energy security and support the transition to cleaner power.
India’s Clean Max agrees $4.6mn deal to acquire Kintech Solarbikaner
The acquisition reflects a broader push to scale hybrid renewable projects, which combine wind and solar generation to improve output consistency and optimise land and infrastructure use.
Vietnam targets nuclear energy share of 6–8%
Vietnam aims to generate 6–8% of its electricity from nuclear energy by 2050 under a newly approved long-term strategy.
Myanmar introduces power rationing amid rising electricity demand
Myanmar will introduce targeted electricity distribution measures as rising demand strains supply, the Ministry of Electric Power has announced.
Cambodia turns to Singapore, Malaysia for fuel supply
Cambodia is increasing fuel imports from Singapore and Malaysia to offset supply shortfalls caused by export restrictions from Vietnam and China, Energy Minister Keo Rottanak told Reuters.
Falling crude output raises Vietnam’s import dependency concerns
Vietnam is set to see domestic crude oil output decline this decade, heightening reliance on imports as ageing offshore fields and geopolitical tensions disrupt supply, according to a government report released this week.
Pakistan warns of post-April LNG gap as supplies start to dry up
Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum has been warned that the country could face difficulties meeting gas demand in the power sector after April 14, as imported LNG supplies are set to lapse.
Chinese battery material producer Putailai invests $297mn in Malaysian plant
Chinese battery materials producer Putailai is redirecting its global expansion strategy toward Southeast Asia, announcing a $297mn investment in a new lithium-ion battery anode materials plant in Malaysia.
Indonesia to accelerate 100 GW solar push through decentralisation
Indonesia is laying the groundwork for one of the most ambitious renewable energy programmes in the developing world.
Singapore moves forward to tackle water scarcity through energy efficiency
Singapore has marked a new phase in its water strategy, as a different constraint is emerging and its water challenge is no longer primarily about supply; it is increasingly about energy.
Philippines plans $430mn Mindoro grid link project
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will invest PHP23.9bn ($430mn) to build a submarine cable linking Batangas to Mindoro, aiming to connect the island to the Luzon grid and improve power supply reliability.
India strengthens transmission framework to support renewable energy expansion
The government has reinforced regulatory and infrastructure measures to ensure seamless grid integration of renewable energy projects, with a strong focus on the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS).
Bangladesh approves emergency spot LNG purchases
Bangladesh has stepped up efforts to secure emergency energy supplies after a cabinet committee approved the purchase of two spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from Aramco Trading Singapore.
Reliance inks $3bn green ammonia supply pact with Samsung C&T
India’s Reliance Industries Limited has signed a binding long-term supply and purchase agreement worth about $3bn with Samsung C&T Corporation to supply green ammonia over a 15-year period.
Vietnam pushes faster review of nuclear power plan
The Government has ordered an expedited review of investment plans for its first nuclear power project.
Laos boosts electric vehicles to curb fuel demand
Laos has unveiled sweeping measures to reduce fuel use, including cheaper fees for electric vehicles and higher costs for petrol cars.
Cambodia plans refinery as fuel prices keep climbing
Cambodia plans to build its first oil refinery by 2029 as fuel costs continue to rise.Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak said the country is also aiming to establish a crude oil stockpile to strengthen energy security.
INTERVIEW: Taiwan’s TSEC CORPORATION – mover and shaker in the nation’s solar sector
A leading name in the Taiwanese solar sector, TSEC has seen its valuation on the Taiwanese exchange skyrocket in recent months.
India’s installed power capacity reaches 520 GW
India’s total installed power generation capacity has reached 520.51 gigawatts (GW) as of January 31, 2026, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Parliament on March 16.
GE Vernova, Hitachi target SE Asia for BWRX-300 reactor deployment
GE Vernova and Hitachi have agreed to explore opportunities to deploy the BWRX-300 small modular reactor across Southeast Asia.
Japan’s TEPCO delays launch of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reactor after alarm
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings has postponed the start of commercial operations at a recently restarted nuclear reactor after an alarm indicated a possible electricity leak at the facility.
India’s Saatvik expands into battery storage
Saatvik Green Energy Limited has established a wholly owned subsidiary focused on battery technologies and energy storage systems as the Indian renewable energy group broadens its activities beyond solar.
Founder Group wins Malaysian solar contract
The project forms part of the government’s Corporate Green Power Programme, an initiative designed to accelerate corporate decarbonisation by supporting the development of additional solar generation capacity.
Mongolia’s coal exports boom in first two months
Mongolia’s coal exports boomed in the first two months of the year, according to a report on Ministry of Economy and Development data.
Bangladesh could save $3bn in LNG imports with 1 GW solar expansion
Bangladesh could reduce its LNG import expenditure by nearly $3bn over the next 25 years if it develops 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar power capacity, according to a new analysis by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
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