Power exporter 9000

File photo of Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates. Ray Dalio, billionaire investor and founder of Bridgewater Associates, released his inaugural Country Power Score Index, which, in his own words, analyses “what makes countries healthy and unhealthy, and how policymakers’ decisions impact the trajectories of their countries.” The list places the US on top in a state of gradual decline, while China is No. 2 in rapid ascent. India is ranked 7th in ascent. In tweets posted on May 25, Dalio said the report comes from his 50-year experience as a global macro-investor and added that he “likes to quantitatively measure” impact to help build systems for better decision-making. The power score index shows the levels of 18 types of strengths and combines them into an aggregate measure of power for the top 24 countries. Besides current placements, the index can be used as a “good leading indicator of future conditions” and “serve as a guide for policymakers to produce … [Read more...] about Ray Dalio’s Power Score Index: US, China on top, India at 7

Divya Karyza (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta   ● Thu, May 26, 2022 2022-05-26 18:00 0 e16ff64e7ecc29b4174149122315854c 1 Regulations Nuclear,renewable-energy,RUU-EBT,RUU-EBET,nuclear-plants,energy-transition Free Activists are urging regulators to exclude nuclear energy development from the new and renewable energy (NRE) bill, arguing it would hinder Indonesia’s transition to green energy. "We urge House of Representatives Commission VII to remove all mention of nonrenewable energy in the new and renewables category of the bill," the cofounder of renewables advocacy group Adidaya Initiative, Aji Said Iqbal Fajri, said in an open letter dated May 19, referring to the House commission that oversees energy and mineral resources. The letter was issued by a group of activists called the Civil Society Coalition, which includes Adidaya Initiative, as well as by the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) and the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law … [Read more...] about Nuclear power has no place in renewables bill: Activists

Julian Knight, a member of the British Parliament and chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, gives a speech on the Korean and British entertainment industries at “The 3rd Business+ Forum — The Korean Entertainment Industry” held at Lotte Hotel Seoul in central Seoul, Thursday. [KOTRA] Just as the growth of culture drove the growth of other industries in Britain, the expansion of Korean pop content will enhance other sectors, including tourism and technology, said Julian Knight, a member of the British Parliament and chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. Knight gave his remarks at “The 3rd Business+ Forum – The Korean Entertainment Industry” held Thursday at Lotte Hotel Seoul in central Seoul. The forum, co-hosted by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra) and the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK), was held to discuss how the influence of K-pop, Korean dramas and films has been growing in recent years and how risks can be … [Read more...] about Culture is a key export, overenthusiastic fan a big risk

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 26): There is potential for Malaysia to achieve or even exceed its long-term renewable energy (RE) target helped by a stronger push for energy transition from energy users, said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB). This, TNB noted, includes its plan to raise the group’s global RE capacity to 8.3 gigawatt (GW) by 2025 from 3.4GW at end-2021, and Malaysia’s RE generation of 18GW by 2035 from 8.45GW currently. “In the past few years, the push for energy transition has become much stronger. As we look at plans coming up for the nation and TNB, it will be interesting to perhaps even see some of the plans [move] forward faster,” said TNB sustainability pathway project director Dr Noor Miza Razali. Speaking at a Thursday (May 26) briefing on TNB’s sustainability pathway, Dr Noor Miza explained that the RE generation mix could be further enabled due to declining cost of operations compared to volatile prices of traditional fuel sources like coal. “Having … [Read more...] about Malaysia could potentially accelerate renewable energy goals, says TNB

Representative image The constant tug-of-war between the Indian government and Elon Musk appears to have finally ended, although it’s hard to determine who here has lost the battle. Earlier today, a report by Reuters stated that Elon Musk has decided to put his Tesla India plans on hold after a prolonged stalemate with the government, which didn’t give in to his demands for reduced tariffs. The news has cast a dark shadow on the prospects of foreign EV brands setting-up shop in India, with Tesla having been the most anticipated player to enter the Indian EV market. While Musk himself hasn’t commented on the matter, Tesla’s exhortations for lower import duties on cars over the $40,000 bracket are a matter of public record. The brand had earmarked February 1st of this year to make a decision based on the annual budgetary hearing. Given that its demands for concessions went unheeded, the brand reassigned those involved with its India operations to other tasks as Tesla continues … [Read more...] about Why did Tesla drop its EV plans in India?

- A + A TOKYO (May 26): Sony Group Corp said it plans to ramp up production of its PlayStation 5 console as supply chain snarls ease, and signalled a radical broadening of its games portfolio including more titles on PCs and mobile. The PS5, which went on sale in November 2020, undersold its predecessor in its second year due to component shortages which had roiled the electronics industry. But it is expected to close the gap in year three and overtake PS4's instal base the following year. Beyond the initial ramp-up, "we're planning for heavy further increases in console production, taking us to production levels that we've never achieved before", Sony Interactive Entertainment chief executive officer Jim Ryan told an investor briefing. While Covid-19 lockdowns in China continue to create supply chain uncertainty, "things are definitely improving", he added. Sony has forecast PS5 sales of 18 million units in the business year to end-March compared with 11.5 … [Read more...] about Sony to ramp up PS5 production and broaden games portfolio

- A + A (May 26): Russia’s central bank delivered its third interest-rate reduction in just over a month and said borrowing costs can fall further still, as it looks to stem a rally in the ruble and unwinds the financial defenses in place since the invasion of Ukraine. The Bank of Russia lowered its benchmark to 11% from 14% on Thursday at an extraordinary meeting it announced only a day earlier. All 23 economists surveyed by Bloomberg predicted a reduction, with most forecasting a cut of two percentage points. The central bank said it “holds open the prospect of a key rate reduction at its upcoming meetings.” In a statement accompanying the decision, policy makers made little mention of the ruble beyond noting the exchange rate contributed to slower inflation. “External conditions for the Russian economy are still challenging, considerably constraining economic activity,” they said. “Financial stability risks decreased somewhat, enabling a relaxation of some … [Read more...] about Russia cuts rates again and takes aim at ruble’s rebound

- A + A SINGAPORE (May 26): The trading arm of Toyota Motor Corp will pay ¥185 billion (US$1.5 billion) to acquire the remaining stake in a Japanese wind and solar power company amid a nationwide effort to hit ambitious green goals. Toyota Tsusho Corp will acquire the 40% stake it does not already own in Eurus Energy Holdings from Tokyo Electric Power Co, according to a filing on Thursday. The deal will close as soon as June. The move comes amid a wider green energy buying spree in Japan. The government seeks to cut carbon emissions by 46% from 2013 levels by 2030, and become carbon neutral by 2050. Japan's industries are in turn committing to similar goals, and facing pressure from the government and investors to move out of fossil fuels. Toyota Motor owns a 34% stake in Toyota Tsusho, which essentially acts as its trading arm. Japan's top automaker last year was considering to acquire the 40% stake in Eurus Energy, Diamond Online reported in November. Eurus … [Read more...] about Toyota arm buys rest of renewables firm for US$1.5 billion

- A + A (May 26): The world’s food problem is already severe as prices jump and protectionism flares but there’s a good chance governments can stop it from getting way worse if they heed a lesson from the crisis in 2008 — don’t panic. With a gauge of global prices already at a record following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a spate of nations have moved to curb exports in crops from wheat and sugar to cooking oils, exacerbating security risks for the rest of the world. Bad weather is a concern, too. Still, while wheat, corn and soy have soared, rice, a staple for more than three billion people, has so far been more stable. If nations do not panic or start hoarding, they can stop the current crisis from becoming a rerun of the one in 2008, when rice prices soared to put the region’s food security at serious risk, according to Harvard University Professor Emeritus Peter Timmer, who’s studied food security for decades. “The 2008 lesson is: Do not spook the market,” … [Read more...] about Bigger food crisis can be averted If Asia remembers not to panic

- A + A (May 26): India’s Adani Wilmar Ltd is an outlier among Asia’s newly listed stocks. The food company has almost tripled since its debut, while most newcomers are trading under water. Shares in the firm, a joint venture between the group controlled by Asia’s richest person Gautam Adani and Singapore’s Wilmar International Ltd, have outperformed 121 Asian initial public offerings (IPOs) worth over US$100 million (about RM439.76 million) this year. Almost two-thirds of the region’s new listings are in the red as rising interest rates and the war in Ukraine take a toll. The Monetary Authority of Singapore and Nippon Life India were among investors in Adani Wilmar’s IPO, which makes Fortune brand cooking oils, wheat flour, rice, pulses, sugar and other food products. The firm said it would use part of the funds in the US$486 million offering to expand facilities, repay loans and make strategic acquisitions. The company is expected to “continue to gain market … [Read more...] about Billionaire Adani’s food venture is best-performing Asia IPO