Each week, the Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association (ANGEA) compiles stories from the energy world that have caught our eye.                       

Given the region in which we operate – and our purpose – this collection of content is largely Asia-focussed. But we also look further afield, knowing that developments, trends and technology from around the world also have an impact across our region.    

All eyes on Dubai for COP28
It’s certainly not an overstatement to suggest COP28 will represent a watershed moment in the global pathway to net zero – with the attention of the world focussed on Dubai and critical conversations among national leaders and other key stakeholders. 

As ANGEA CEO Paul Everingham wrote in an opinion piece this week, COP28 represents a genuine opportunity for pragmatism and realism when it comes to decarbonisation. 

And that means acknowledging the roles that natural gas and LNG have to play in balancing energy security and energy transition, and also recognising the potential for at-scale carbon capture and storage to contribute significantly to progress on climate goals. 

Read more: https://bit.ly/3usguJ4 

Photo by COP28 / Mahmoud Khaled

ExxonMobil says CCS must be part of the solution
Speaking of CCS and COP28, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods was keen to ensure recent skepticism from the International Energy Agency about the technology was put into perspective. 

As Woods pointed out, it’s easy to suggest tools for decarbonisation are yet to be proven at scale, currently too costly or won’t be a “silver bullet” by themselves. But that shouldn’t take away from the contributions they can make. 

“There is no solution set out there today that is at the scale to solve the problem. You could say that about carbon capture today, you could say that about electric vehicles, about wind, about solar.” 

Read more: https://reut.rs/3NffyhN 

Japan pledges to stop building unabated coal-fired power plants
In a significant COP28 commitment, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has vowed that his country will stop building coal-fired power plants that do not feature emissions-reduction measures. 

While under-construction plants will continue as planned, any coal-fired power stations committed to in the future would need to have abatement in place. 

Read more: https://reut.rs/3RrfP3F 

JERA’s large-scale co-firing trial to start in March
Our member company JERA’s co-firing demonstration with ammonia is an eagerly anticipated power generation development – and it was exciting to hear this week that it’s expected to get underway in the first quarter of 2024. 

The demonstration, set to take place at the Hekinan thermal power station, will mark the first time that a large amount of ammonia will be used as a co-firing agent at a big commercial plant to reduce emissions. 

Read more: https://bit.ly/47ErfXo 

A hydrogen world-first for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
In another world-first involving one of ANGEA’s Japanese member companies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries completed a power generation test on a large frame gas turbine using a fuel mixture of 30 per cent hydrogen. 

The test took place at the company’s Takasago Hydrogen Park, which is designed to validate the full value chain of hydrogen production, storage, and power generation.

Hydrogen is a major part of Japan’s plans to decarbonise power generation and heavy industry, with projected investment in supply of $US107.5 billion over the next 15 years. It is hoped supply will reach 3 million tonnes per year by 2030, increasing to 20 million tonnes by 2050. 

Read more: https://bit.ly/3uEeb5X 

Australia flags critical role for gas, advances CCS legislation
There were two pieces of very positive news from Australia this week, including the Federal Government’s climate change statement recognising the critical importance of the country’s gas, at home and abroad. 

“While we invest in cleaner and cheaper energy for the future, gas will continue to play a role in supporting the transition to renewables, particularly as coal‑fired generation leaves the system,” the statement read. 

The document also noted the potential benefits of carbon capture and storage (CCS), while Western Australia – one of Asia’s biggest energy trading partners – introduced legislation to its Parliament aimed at enabling the transport and storage of greenhouse gases in the State. 

Read the full climate change statement: https://bit.ly/3sXbmwb
More on the WA legislation: https://bit.ly/46y4YsZ  

Cambodia set to become an LNG importer
Cambodia is set to join recent entrants Vietnam, the Philippines and Hong Kong as an LNG importer in Asia.

In recent years Cambodia has used coal to generate more than 40 per cent of its electricity but it now appears to be eyeing a switch towards gas, with the scrapping of a planned coal-fired power station on the southwestern coast in favour of a gas-fired plant. 

The associated LNG import terminal would be the country’s first. 

Read more: https://bit.ly/3sVXhPH  

Japan approves JERA plan to keep surplus LNG in winter
LNG is critical for power generation and energy security in Japan and a strategic reserve can provide support during periods of high global demand. 

It’s pleasing to see the Government of Japan approving a plan by JERA to keep a “winter surplus” – a decision that also points towards ongoing uncertainty in global LNG markets and the need for gas-producing countries to continue bringing on supply and future projects to meet the needs of Asia (and other regions) in decades to come. 

Read more: https://bit.ly/47vZcJF

ANGEA is an industry association representing LNG and natural gas producers, energy buyers, suppliers and companies in APAC. Based in Singapore, it works in partnership with governments and societies across the region to deliver reliable and secure energy solutions that achieve national economic, energy security, social and environmental objectives and meet global climate goals. 

Back