Thailand

Spurred on by favorable government policies and incentives, several Asia-Pacific countries outside of China – such as Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Malaysia – have begun to make large-scale investments in solar power projects, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan. The prospects are also attracting the attention of manufacturers in the US and Europe, which are scouting for newer markets in which to conduct business, following the oversupply of solar panels at home.

Total cumulative (PV) installations in Southeast Asia are forecast to reach almost 5-GW by 2016, according to the latest report from IMS Research and, perhaps more illuminating, is that Indonesia is predicted to become the fastest-growing market in the region, overtaking Thailand as it installs close to 1-GW of new capacity. The report, which analyses the PV markets in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and Philippines, reveals that the region will grow at 50 percent per year on average over the next five years. Installations have previously been dominated by Thailand, however, other regions are also forecast to quickly and account for significant share of the market.

Hong Kong's seizure of nearly four tonnes of smuggled ivory, worth about USD3.4 million, highlights once again China's significant role in the global trade of endangered species. According to Hong Kong's customs officials, they made their biggest ever haul of endangered species product following a tip-off from mainland Chinese police. While the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Crime scorecard says China is making some progress in key aspects of compliance and enforcement of rhino and tiger trade, it is flagged for failing on key aspects of compliance or enforcement for the illegal trade in elephant products, primarily ivory.

Southeast Asia’s largest solar plant, a 44-MW project called “Sunny Bangchak”, has been connected to Thailand’s grid, the project partners announced yesterday.

China’s Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology has penetrated the Southeast Asia market for the first time with the sale of three GW109/2500 low wind-speed series turbines to Thailand's Electricity Generating Pcl (EGCO), an independent power producer.