Matarbari Coal Power Plant: Pollution to Claim 14,000 Lives in 30 Yrs
Says a Greenpeace report on Japan-funded projects in South, Southeast Asia
Over three million people from South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, will be exposed to air pollution and face health hazards as the Japanese public finance agencies are funding 17 coal-fired power plants in the region, says a Greenpeace report.
It is estimated that the Japanese investment would cause a total of 148,000 to 410,000 avoidable premature deaths over the typical 30-year operation period of those plants, said the joint Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Greenpeace Japan report released yesterday in Singapore.
In Bangladesh, the number of premature deaths would be up to 14,000 due to pollution by Japan-funded Matarbari coal-fired power plant in 30 years since it goes into operation, the report estimates.
The report projected that the Japanese investments would lead to 160,000 premature deaths in India, 72,000 in Indonesia and 36,000 in Vietnam due to long-term exposures to fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide pollution.
All these deaths could be avoided by shifting the investments into renewable energy, the report said.
How Japan’s financing of highly polluting overseas coal plants endangers public health”, also stated that Japanese-financed coal power plants are likely to emit up to 13 times more nitrogen oxides (NOx), 33 times more sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 40 times more dust than those plants built in Japan.
Most of those power plants located in South and Southeast Asian countries were financed by Japanese public finance agencies JBIC, JICA and NEXI. They have invested $16.7 billion in coal plants between January 2013 to May 2019, of which Indonesia is the major recipient with 42 percent, Vietnam 20 percent and Bangladesh 18 percent.
Japan has developed technology to reduce emissions and is using that in their own coal-fired plants, but they are financing far inferior technologies in other countries, the report said, adding that the Japanese government was “exporting air pollution overseas”.
Japan has a stricter guideline than WHO set recommendations for air pollution for their own country. But the power plants Japan is financing would breach the WHO guidelines, the report mentioned.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution increases the risk of diseases such as stroke, lung cancer, heart and respiratory illness in adults, as well as respiratory infections in children.
“It’s unfortunate to see the gap between Japan’s promises of exporting quality infrastructure and the reality of low-quality coal technology exports. Japan should honour its trading partners and citizens of those countries by promoting energy technologies that stop hurting people’s health and the environment,” said Senior Energy Campaigner Hanna Hakko at Greenpeace Japan.
Japan is currently the only G7 country still actively building new coal power plants at home and abroad, and is the second largest public investor in overseas coal projects among the G20 countries.
“If it’s not good enough for Japan, it’s not good enough for Indonesia. Governments in the host countries of Japan’s coal projects must protect their citizens by setting stronger emission standards,” Tata Mustasya, Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s regional climate and energy campaign coordinator, said in the report.
Greenpeace demands that both Japan and countries receiving Japanese coal financing immediately shift away from coal and move toward clean renewable energy sources, the report added. – The Daily Star
New Impetus to Payra Port
The news that a Taka 51.50 billion project has been finalised for the upcoming port of Payra must inspire everyone looking forward to Bangladesh's advancement. It comes as a further bit of fresh air when so many other ventures are also being undertaken around the country. Although one or two important ones are falling behind schedule, the hope is that everything will be straightened and greater speed generated in their implementation. The proposed construction of a multipurpose terminal at Payra with three large berths of varying lengths for handling general cargo, sand and grains should come as a boost to the whole facet of development efforts. Other associated work of building power stations and road-networks and bridges will give an aura of a great leap forward in an otherwise left-behind area of the country. If the proposed Payra Port Project is completed within 2022, as has been said, nothing can be more satisfying to the economic soothsayers than this new outlet of the nation's trading entrepôt. By current projection, it will surpass all other ports of the country in the next one decade in handling of twenty-foot equivalent units of containers. The power stations so necessary for a port of this magnitude will add to the national grid, thereby enhancing electricity generation further.
Payra is the future port of Bangladesh considering its location on land that looks like the proper bridgehead of entry towards the heart of the country. Its unique position makes one feel nostalgic of the past that we spent without knowing the real worth and advantage of this place. If it was prioritised earlier, development could take a different path. We do not, however, yet know for sure whether it will be a deep seaport proper, as was announced about a decade ago. This should be clarified as soon as possible, or otherwise foreign investments and local people's business calculations would not find direction. For mother ships to ply inside, continuous dredging of a lengthy stretch of the river Payra, on which the port is located, will be necessary. Even taking that it will be another port like Chittagong, Payra does not lose a bit in terms of importance with mother carriers anchoring outside and lighterage doing the final bit of work.
However, Payra's operational advantage lies in its location nearer the heartland areas of Bangladesh. Add to it the Padma Bridge factor, which once completed with both multi-lane roads and train lines, promises to make Payra a dream port of a lifetime come true, if connected properly. Then, besides the core areas of Bangladesh and its northern districts, Payra port will fascinate traders of Bhutan and Assam of India. It is no wonder that India has come forward with a credit-line of over Taka 44 billion for the current Payra Port project. If things go on well, China's southern provinces may someday find in Payra a seaward opening. As garments manufacturers and exporters in this country demanded a few years ago, the port must be connected expeditiously with the Padma Bridge networks. The port nonetheless is naturally connected with navigable rivers that lead to the great trio of Bangladesh waterways of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna. We welcome the latest initiative on Payra Port and urge the concerned authorities to ensure its earliest completion with the most economic use of funds available for the endeavour. We wish godspeed to the newly undertaken project's accomplishment. – The Financial Express
Chevron Supports Career Dev of AUW Students
The Asian University for Women (AUW) has taken strides this summer to empower young women in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The AUW Math & Science Summer School, powered by Chevron, selected 61 of the brightest female high school students across Bangladesh to participate in an intensive five-week program focused on STEM subjects. The summer programme equipped students with the competence and skills necessary to excel in STEM-oriented further studies and careers.
The AUW Math & Science Summer School concluded with a closing ceremony at the Asian University for Women campus in Chittagong, Bangladesh recently.
Special guests of the event included Mr. Ismail Chowdhury, Director of Corporate Affairs of Chevron Bangladesh and Mrs. Waseka Ayesha Khan, Member of Parliament, Chattogram, Bangladesh.
Mr. Chowdhury commended the initiative and expressed his pleasure with the collaboration between AUW and Chevron. Mrs. Khan believes programs such as this one will actively encourage young Bangladeshi women to engage in STEM education.
Minister of Information of the Government of Bangladesh, Dr Hasan Mahmud, addressed the audience as the chief guest.
"AUW brings a source of pride for Bangladesh and Chittagong. AUW is a world-class university by all standards and AUW doesn't only educate women; it empowers women. I encourage you all not just to dream big, but to combine your dreams with your efforts to reach your goals." Special Guest, Mr. Ismail Chowdhury said, "The AUW Math & Science Summer School Powered by Chevron stands out for two reasons: firstly, it represents Chevron's efforts to empower Bangladeshi girls, and secondly, it provides STEM education to those who are hungry for success in their lives."
All students were awarded a Certificate of Merit in recognition of completing the program. Family and friends of the students attended the Closing Ceremony. Two students, Tasnia Raisa Choudhury and Shorna Biswas, received the "Emerging Woman Leader in STEM" Award for their exemplary academic performance and leadership skills. – The Financial Express
Confidence Power Rangpur Starts Commercial Operation
The Confidence Power Rangpur Ltd, a 99 per cent subsidiary of Confidence Power Holdings Ltd, has started commercial operation from August 12, said an official disclosure on Tuesday.
The Confidence Power Holdings is an associate company of Confidence Cement Ltd. The Confidence Cement, a listed company, has 41 per cent stake in Confidence Power Holdings.
According to the disclosure, the Confidence Power Rangpur has started commercial operation of its heavy fuel oil (HFO)-based net 113MW Power Plant consisting of Unit of Bergen Engines supplied along with related auxiliaries by Norway to sell the whole production of electricity to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
In January 2018, the board of directors of the Confidence Cement agreed to invest in the new power plant projects located at Bogra, Rangpur and Chittagong under Confidence Power Holdings.
The Confidence Power Bogra Unit-2, a 99 per cent subsidiary of Confidence Power Holdings, also started commercial operation on March 30, this year.
Each share of the Confidence Cement, which was listed on the Dhaka bourse in 1995, closed at Tk 149.60 on Tuesday, losing 0.40 per cent.
The company's earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 4.47 in nine months for July 2018-March 2019 as against Tk 5.09 for July 2017-March 2018.
The net operating cash flow per share (NOCFPS) was negative Tk 1.39 for July 2018-March 2019 as against negative Tk 1.31 for July 2017-March 2018.
The net asset value (NAV) per share was Tk 66.71 as on March 31, 2019 and Tk 76.00 as on June 30, 2018.
The company disbursed 15 per cent cash and 20 per cent stock dividend for the year ended on June 30, 2018.
The company's paid-up capital is Tk 647.91 million and authorised capital is Tk 1.0 billion, while the total number of securities is 64.79 million.
The sponsor-directors own 29.88 per cent stake in company, while institutional investors own 25.89 per cent, and the general public 44.23 per cent as on June 30, 2019, the DSE data shows. – The Financial Express
1,000 Metres Illegal Gas Line Cut Off
Titas Gas Gazipur office disconnects more than 1,000 metres illegal gas lines in Mariali area of city yesterday. Independent photo
A team of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, Gazipur regional office cut off more than 1,000 metres of illegal gas lines of different residential houses in Mariali area of the city yesterday.
Titas gas authority with the help of district administration disconnected those lines after conducted a raid in the area from morning to evening.
Manager of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Gazipur regional office Engineer Ajit Chandra Deb said, “A number of illegal gas users connected gas lines in their residence without any permission of the Titas authority.
On a secret information, a team of Titas gas Gazipur office conducted a raid led by executive magistrate Jannatul Ferdous at different point in Marialy area of the city and disconnected more than 1,000 metres of illegal (3 inches diameter) lines and also delivery lines from 200 houses of the areas”.
Manager of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Gazipur regional Office Engineer Ajit Chandra Deb, deputy manager Engineer Sabiul Awal and Engineer Abu Sufian, assistant engineer Mirza Shahnewaj Latif and Mirza Mamunur Rahman and sub-assistant engineer Rezaul Haque were present during the operation. – The Independent
KGDCL Observes National Energy Security Day
Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) observed the ‘National Energy Security Day’ through different programmes in the city.
They brought out a colourful procession from in front of the KGDCL office marking the day on August 9. Officers and employees of the organisation participated in the procession with banners and festoons.
They later held a rally in front of the office when KGDCL Managing Director (MD) Khaiz Ahmad Majumder delivered speech.
The MD Khaiz in his speech said that after independence of the country, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman introduced government ownership in energy sector through procuring five gas fields from Shell Oil Company on August 9 in 1975.
The gas fields have been contributing to the country’s energy sector to a great extent since then and the day is being observed as the national energy security day, he said.
The MD informed that the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also taken multi-dimensional programmes to increase awareness regarding misuse of energy and ensuring the energy security. The new era in the energy sector has been started through import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for supplying uninterruptedly to different sectors, he said.
The government has also kept efforts continued for gas production, infrastructural development and searching of new gas through digging new wells, he added.
KGDCL general managers, leaders of CBA and officer’s welfare association were present at the rally among others. – The Daily Sun
Oil Prices Rise on Stimulus Hopes, Trade Optimism
LONDON, Aug 20: Oil prices rose on Tuesday on optimism US-China trade tensions will ease and on hopes major economies will take stimulus measures to ward off a potential economic slowdown that could hit oil demand.
Brent crude LCOc1 was up 25 cents to $59.99 a barrel by 0904 GMT while US crude CLc1 was up 19 cents at $56.40 a barrel.
The United States said it would extend a reprieve that permits China's Huawei Technologies to buy components from US companies, signaling a slight softening of the trade conflict between the world's two largest economies. The extension brought "relief to investors", Tamas Varga from oil brokerage PVM said.
Fears of a full blown-out trade war between the world's two largest economies have weighed on sentiment in recent months.
"The US-China trade spat has been at the center of the oil market demise, which has sent the global economy to the brink of recession and negatively impacted oil demand forecasts," Stephen Innes, managing partner of VM Markets, said in a note.
A rally in equity markets around the world on growing expectations that global economies will take action against slowing growth also supported crude prices.
China's new lending reference rate was set slightly lower on Tuesday after the central bank announced interest rate reforms designed to reduce corporate borrowing costs, while Germany's right-left coalition government said it would be prepared to ditch its balanced budget rule and take on new debt to counter a possible recession.
"China's announcement of key interest rate reforms over the weekend has driven expectations of an imminent reduction in corporate borrowing costs," financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald said in a note.
A drone attack over the weekend launched by Yemen's Houthi group on the Shaybah oilfield in eastern Saudi Arabia also lent support. – Reuters/ The Daily Observer
Japan Exports Air Pollution by Funding Coal-Fired Power Plants Overseas
TOKYO, Aug 20: The Japanese Government and its public finance agencies JBIC, JICA, NEXI are exporting pollution to other countries by funding coal-fired power plants abroad, that emit far more toxic air pollutants than would be allowed in Japan.This deadly double standard in emission limits allows Japanese-financed coal power plants to emit up to 13 times more nitrogen oxides (NOx), 33 times more sulfur dioxide (SO2) and 40 times more dust than those plants built in Japan.
The findings, released in a joint Greenpeace Southeast Asia and Greenpeace Japan report, reveal that the public finance agencies' 16.7 billion USD investment in coal plants between January 2013 and May 2019 is estimated to cause a total of 148,000 to 410,000 avoidable premature deaths over the typical 30 year operation period of such plants.
Despite the complexity of Japan's national standards for emissions from coal-fired power plants, emission limits set in environmental permits for new power plant projects are strict. We carried out detailed atmospheric modeling and health impact assessments for 17 coal power plants financed by Japanese PFAs overseas during the period January 2013 to May 2019, located in the top five invested countries: Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Morocco and India. "It's unfortunate to see the gap between Japan's promises of exporting quality infrastructure and the reality of low-quality coal technology exports. Japan should honor its trading partners and citizens of those countries by promoting energy technologies that stop hurting people's health and the environment," said Senior Energy Campaigner, Hanna Hakko at Greenpeace Japan.
"Japan could become a champion for renewables, but that requires giving up the harmful export of polluting coal technology." Japan is currently the only G7 country still actively building new coal power plants at home and abroad, and is the second largest public investor in overseas coal projects among the G20 countries.
Tata Mustasya, Greenpeace Southeast Asia's Regional Climate and Energy Campaign Coordinator, said:
"If it's not good enough for Japan, it's not good enough for Indonesia. Governments in the host countries of Japan's coal projects must protect their citizens by setting stronger emission standards and rapidly transitioning away from coal to clean and renewable energy. This change in policies and investments has to happen now, for human and environmental health, and to safeguard the future of our planet." - GREENPEACE.ORG/ The Daily Observer
