Latest news with #EnergyPark
Malaysian Reserve
27-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Anwar to deliver keynote address at Energy Asia 2025
by AZALEA AZUAR PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (picture) is set to deliver a keynote address at Energy Asia 2025 which will take place on June 16 to 18, 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). He will also lead a delegation of Malaysian ministers as well as their regional counterparts at the 'Delivering Asia's Energy Transition' conference. Anwar will also participate in the 'Asia's Energy Future' opening plenary which will focus on geopolitical dynamics, alliances, risks, Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship and its role in Asia's energy transition. Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) president and group CEO and Energy Asia chairman Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik said this event will advocate for a global energy transition. It expects to benefit all sectors through increased cooperation across economies and industries. 'In this regard, we are indeed very privileged to welcome Anwar to the second edition of the conference, with the opportunity to engage in progressive discourse on his aspirations for Asia's sustainable and inclusive energy future, aligned with Malaysia's role as the chair of ASEAN this year,' he said in a statement. Energy Asia is organised by Petronas while CERAWeek by S&P Global Inc serves as its Knowledge Partner where it aims to bring actionable solutions for a just energy transition. It aims to attract more than 4,000 delegates from 50 countries and will feature more than 180 prominent speakers such as Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries secretary-general Haitam Al Ghais; Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) president and CEO Amin Nasser; TotalEnergies SE board chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné; as well as PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Ltd (PTTEP) CEO Montri Rawanchaikul. Energy Asia will conduct strategic dialogues across seven sub-themes to enhance energy security, promote renewable energy adoption, deploy decarbonisation solutions, facilitate technology transfer and catalyse economic and socio-economic development. Meanwhile, the conference's centre of technology and innovation programming Energy Park will showcase transformational technology platforms in energy and adjacent industries.
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Meridian opens $186m battery farm to boost Northland's energy resilience
However, it could also mean power gets reinstated more quickly after events such as the blackout caused when one of the pylons carrying the region's main electricity supply north of Auckland collapsed last June. Perched about a kilometre from Northland's largest port and opposite a Transpower substation, the storage system is Meridian's first project in Northland and phase one of its planned Ruakākā Energy Park. Already connected to the national grid for activation once final tests are complete, the facility was officially opened on Friday. Meridian's general manager of development Guy Waipara said the facility was capable of storing 200 megawatt hours of power and at full capacity, could release 100 megawatts of power for two hours to 60,000 households. It represented a growing trend towards distributed energy resources that could respond quickly to grid needs while supporting the shift to renewable energy, Waipara said. 'When demand is low and power is cheap or there's lots of wind or solar power being generated, we can charge the system. 'When demand peaks – like at 7pm when everyone comes home and turns on their ovens – we can discharge stored power." Waipara said that balancing capability reduced reliance on fossil fuel plants that would otherwise need to be activated during peak demand periods. The storage system could be charged when power prices were cheaper or power was in lesser demand, for instance overnight, or when there was lots of wind or solar power being generated. It could potentially undergo daily charging and discharging cycles multiple times daily, depending on demand patterns and renewable energy production. Stored power could be released at peak times but also if there was a problem with the grid. It would be a crucial support for the second stage of Meridian's Ruakākā Energy Park – a $227 million solar farm planned for the 172ha adjoining the 2ha corner on which the battery storage facility sits. Work on the farm was expected to start this August with power production possible in 2027. Waipara said specific details about the system's role during major infrastructure failures were not yet known. However, the increased localised generation and storage capacity in Northland would inherently improve the region's resilience in an electricity crisis. It couldn't prevent a blackout of the type caused when a pylon collapsed but could accelerate recovery by providing power for extended periods. Together the two assets – the storage facility and the solar farm – would help restore power where it was crucially needed markedly faster, Waipara said. Having power at their door, would enable distribution companies to better manage supply to critical infrastructure like CBDs, hospitals, and schools. Waipara could not say whether the projects would bring down the region's notoriously high power prices. However, he said it would certainly put downward pressure on them. Asked about the consent process for the planned 250,000-panelled solar farm, Waipara said it had been lengthy and expensive. In January this year, the Environment Court signed off a mediated agreement between Meridian, Forest and Bird, and Fish and Game. The environmental organisations had concerns, particularly about the protection of local wetlands. The company agreed to fence off 9ha of wetland areas on the wind farm site and to establish a new 5ha wetland near the Ruakākā shops. Waipara said he was personally excited about those projects, which would include the installation of about 200,000 new plants. He said Meridian had been working closely with local hapū since 2021 and would continue to do so. He said a key lesson for the company was the importance of reaching agreements with stakeholders before going to adjudication. Waipara emphasised the need to 'come up with an agreement that makes sense for all parties involved' rather than relying on the formal RMA (Resource Management Act) process. The community was expected to benefit from some of the 100 jobs likely to be created by the energy park. Meridian had also prioritised using local contractors where possible, Waipara said. He said the company would undoubtedly make use of the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 in future but that would not lessen its commitment to high environmental and cultural standards. Fast-tracking shouldn't mean cutting corners on ecological work, stakeholder engagement, or iwi consultation, Waipara said.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Completion Of Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System
Press Release – Meridian The Ruakk BESS has a maximum output of 100MW of electricity and storage capacity of 200MWh, enough to power around 60,000 average households during winter for a two-hour period. Construction of New Zealand's first large-scale grid battery storage system is now complete, with Meridian Energy's Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) being officially opened in a ceremony later today. The Ruakākā BESS has a maximum output of 100MW of electricity and storage capacity of 200MWh, enough to power around 60,000 average households during winter for a two-hour period. Construction of the BESS, located south of Whangārei, began in the first quarter of 2023 and has been completed inside the project's original $186 million capital envelope. Meridian's General Manager Development, Guy Waipara, says the BESS adds a North Island storage asset into New Zealand's electricity system, and one that will perform a number of key roles. 'This BESS is a new and exciting addition to our asset portfolio. It gives us the ability to load shift between price periods, smooth out peak periods, provide greater resilience to Northland and enable Meridian to participate in the North Island electricity reserves market.' 'Although construction and commissioning are now complete, some steps remain before the BESS is fully operational, including approval of final commissioning test results.' Meridian's focus has now turned to the neighbouring $227 million, 130MW Ruakākā Solar Farm, with construction set to begin in August 2025. Together with the BESS, this forms Meridian's Ruakākā Energy Park. 'These will be key assets for Northland, and for New Zealand. There is a tremendous amount going on across the industry to ensure Kiwi homes and businesses continue to have all the electricity they need at prices that continue to be internationally competitive. Meridian is stepping up to the challenge with the Ruakākā Energy Park, part of $3 billion we will invest over the next five years,' says Guy Waipara. The company has four other projects already consented, including another BESS in Manawatū, and several others progressing through consenting processes. In addition to Manawatū, Meridian intends to incorporate batteries into a number of new solar farm projects. Meridian's battery partner for Ruakākā is Saft, and Transpower has also played a key role in planning, construction and commissioning. 'This has been a real team effort and Meridian thanks both for their contributions to the project. Being the first of its kind in New Zealand, there has been a lot to learn,' says Guy Waipara.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Petronas poised to help accelerate Asian energy transition
KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is set to strengthen its role in accelerating the regional energy transition by hosting the second edition of Energy Asia 2025 from June 16. The three-day conference here aims to serve as a high-level platform, bringing together global energy leaders to deliberate on collaborative strategies for achieving a sustainable energy future across Asia — and, by extension, the world. Petronas vice president of group strategic relations and communications Ir Norafizal Mat Saad said the event underscores the company's long-term commitment to fostering regional cooperation and catalysing collective progress toward a more inclusive and comprehensive energy transition. "Energy Asia is about how Petronas play a role in bringing together the agenda of energy transition for Asia. This is where the leaders from all over the world will come and convene. "Hopefully this kind of session will further drive and collaborate the energy transition efforts throughout Asia and which has also impacted the world," he told a press conference at Petronas Lunch Escape: Road to Energy Asia here today. Petronas gathered nearly 100 media and communications professionals from over 30 organisations for a lunch talk titled 'Road to Energy Asia 2025', aiming to build momentum ahead of its flagship energy conference next month. The session offered a preview of the upcoming Energy Asia 2025. Energy Asia 2025 will feature more than 180 global speakers and is expected to draw over 4,000 delegates from 50 countries. Its programme includes over 50 strategic dialogues under themes such as energy policy, markets, innovation, capital, sustainability and talent development. Petronas senior general manager and strategy, planning and governance Datin Arni Laily Anwarrudin said the efforts to strengthen Energy Asia are being continued annually, particularly with the second edition this year focusing on expanding the programme's reach and impact. Arni said this year, in addition to the chief executive officer (CEO) roundtable session, Petronas is also introducing and enhancing the Future Energy Leaders programme, which targets the younger generation. "This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation that is not only interested but also committed to participating in the energy transition agenda. "The programme is also designed to create a more holistic ecosystem by exposing young talent to opportunities within the evolving energy transition landscape," she added. Meanwhile, Arni said the Energy Park, a core component of the event, will be revamped this year, expanding to two to three times the size of the 2023 edition and showcasing a more immersive blend of technology and innovation. She said curating the right mix of participants is central to the event's mission. "The target that has been set for us goes beyond numbers. It is about getting the right mix of delegates. One of the things we are very deliberate about is ensuring we bring together policymakers, academicians, C-suites, founders, tech experts, innovators, and energy companies. "We don't just want decision-makers and executives in the room, but we want young people, emerging leaders, and diverse voices who will actually be part of the transition. More women representation is also a key consideration," she added.
Malaysian Reserve
15-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Energy Asia 2025 to focus on transition themes, wider collaboration
by AUFA MARDHIAH ENERGY Asia 2025 will focus on key topics such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical risks, capital markets and changes in the power sector, as part of efforts to support Asia's shift to cleaner energy. To be held in Kuala Lumpur from June 16 to 18, the conference — led by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) — will introduce new formats to encourage action, especially through greater involvement from youth, innovators and decision-makers. Petronas Group Strategic Relations and Communications head Arni Laily Anwaruddin said the conference will cover things around the geopolitics and the macro landscape. 'We also have power markets in transition, and talk about electric vehicle (EV) securities,' she told reporters at the Road to Energy Asia event today. This year's event will also explore themes like talent development, innovation and how to fund energy transition projects across Asia. Energy Asia 2025 will also bring together a wider range of participants, including policymakers, corporate leaders, students, academicians and energy enthusiasts. Apart from that, Petronas also aims to expand delegate diversity beyond just growing attendance numbers. This includes a broad range of participants beyond policymakers and corporate leaders, emphasising the importance of involving younger generations and ensuring wider representation in the energy transition. Meanwhile, the CEO roundtable — a regular feature of the event — has been redesigned. Instead of a traditional discussion, participants will join smaller workgroups to form 'soft pledges' that support collective progress. 'They will be rolling up their sleeves. Not just a roundtable, they will be broken up into work streams…so that Asia can come together better,' Arni Laily said. Other highlights include the expanded Energy Park exhibition, the Future Energy Leaders Programme and the inaugural Energy Asia Awards recognising achievements in innovation and social impact.
