Oman state power firm to take over Dhofar Power

July 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

July 27 (Reuters) – Oman’s state-owned Electricity Holding Co., majority shareholder of Dhofar Power Co. DHP.OM, will offer a 25-percent premium to buy the remaining stake in the firm, Dhofar said on Tuesday.

Electricity Holding, which has a 69.42 percent stake in the company, plans to buy the outstanding shares in the third quarter for 2 rials per share, valuing the stake at 5.52 million Omani rials ($14.34 million).

Dhofar Power shares closed at 1.6 rials on Monday.

The deal will be completed by the end of September, Dhofar said in a statement to the Muscat bourse.

Dhofar planned to kick off a 200 million rial, five-year expansion plan this year, centered on its transmission and distribution operations. [ID:nLG341013]

The power company said in November it was looking to its majority shareholder to help fund the expansion and warned income would be hit by higher borrowing costs related to the plan.

Dohar Power had a first-quarter net profit of 650,000 rials, down from 940,000 rials in the same period in 2009.

(Reporting by Saleh al Shaibany; Editing by Jason Neely)

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KPMG Hits Carbon, Paper Reduction Targets Early

July 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Audit, tax and consultant firm KPMG has exceeded its carbon footprint reduction goal a year ahead of schedule.

The U.S. arm of global consultancy KPMG launched its Living Green program in 2008 with a range of goals centered on cutting carbon, resources and waste.

Originally planning to reduce its carbon footprint by 25 percent by 2010, KPMG lowered it by 26 percent by the end of 2009. Specifically, it cut its footprint by about 7 percent between 2007 and 2008, and by about 20 percent between 2008 and 2009.

The firm is also planning to reduce waste by 10 percent, reduce paper consumption by 15 percent, increase alternative transportation by 5 percent and have all of its new construction achieve LEED certification by 2010.

Since the start of the program, KPMG has lowered its electricity use by 9 percent, cut paper consumption by 33 percent and increased use of recycled paper by 85 percent. It also has five LEED certified offices, in Nashville, Boston, Charlotte, San Diego and Orange County, Calif.

As part of the program, the company set up local Living Green Teams in offices around the U.S. The teams created recycling programs, got involved in local environmental programs and hosted volunteer events around Earth Day.

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Brit professor to outline his vision for a renewable energy powered UK

June 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, June 11 (ANI): A University of Nottingham professor is set to go public with his vision for a UK powered completely by renewable energy by 2030.

Professor Seamus Garvey, of the University”s Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, will deliver the Scaling Up Renewables open lecture on June 15 in the Coates Road Auditorium, University Park Campus.

He will speak on the potential of vast floating offshore ”energy farms” off the UK coastline, which could produce ”green” electricity at a fraction of the cost of its nearest competitors.

Professor Garvey said: “Imagine for a moment that renewable energy was the cheapest way to source power and that this power could be dispatched on demand. Imagine further that the landscape did not have to be blighted by man-made structures to gather that power.

“The impact on the world would be profound: secure low-cost energy supplies for most countries, reduction in the environmental assault that is most mining and oil/gas extraction and some hope of curtailing climate change not dependant on politics.”

He added: “I will be ending the lecture with a challenge for my audience of engineers – can they find any errors in my reasoning and is there anything within the laws of engineering that would prevent us from developing this technology at this scale? I would also be extremely interested in hearing views on whether they believe we have the skills and prowess as an engineering community within the UK to achieve this ambitious vision.” (ANI)

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Just Energy Income Fund Announces June Distribution

June 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jun 04 (MARKET WIRE) —
Just Energy Income Fund (TSX: JE.UN) filed notice with the Toronto Stock
Exchange today announcing its regular distribution for June. A
distribution of $0.10333/unit ($1.24 annually) will be paid on June 30th,
2010 to Unitholders of record at the close of business on June 15th,
2010. The Units trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol
“JE.UN”.

About the Fund

Just Energy’s business involves the sale of natural gas and/or
electricity to residential and commercial customers under long-term
fixed-price and price-protected contracts. By fixing the price of natural
gas or electricity under its fixed-price or price-protected program
contracts for a period of up to five years, Just Energy’s customers
offset their exposure to changes in the price of these essential
commodities. Just Energy, which commenced business in 1997, derives its
margin or gross profit from the difference between the fixed price at
which it is able to sell the commodities to its customers and the fixed
price at which it purchases the associated volumes from its suppliers.

Just Energy also offers “green” products through its Just Green
program. The electricity Just Green product offers the customer the
option of having all or a portion of his or her electricity sourced from
renewable green sources such as wind, run of the river hydro or biomass.
The gas Just Green product offers carbon offset credits which will allow
the customer to reduce or eliminate the carbon footprint for their home
or business. Management believes that these products will not only add to
profits, but also increase sales receptivity and improve renewal rates.

In addition, through National Home Services, Just Energy sells and rents
high efficiency and tankless waterheaters and, through Terra Grain Fuels
Inc., produces and sells wheat-based ethanol.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward – looking statements. These
statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from
those anticipated. Additional information on these and other factors that
could affect Just Energy’s operations, financial results or distribution
levels following completion of the Acquisition, are included in Just
Energy’s annual information form and other reports on file with Canadian
securities regulatory authorities which can be accessed through the SEDAR
website at www.sedar.com or through Just Energy’s website at
www.justenergy.com.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the
contents of this release.

Contacts:
Just Energy Income Fund
Ms. Rebecca MacDonald
Executive Chair
(416) 367-2872

Just Energy Income Fund
Mr. Ken Hartwick, C.A.
Chief Executive Officer & President
(905) 795-3557

Just Energy Income Fund
Ms. Beth Summers, C.A.
Chief Financial Officer
(905) 795-4206

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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Work on gas pipeline to start soon as Pak, Iran complete all formalities

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Jun.4 (ANI): Pakistan and Iran have finalised all formalities regarding the gas pipeline, and the ground work on the project would start soon following a survey, Pakistan Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Syed Naveed Qamar Shah has said.

Responding to a question in the National Assembly regarding the progress made on the much publicised pipeline project, Shah said once completed, Pakistan would receive 750 million cubic feet of natural gas per day from Iran, The Daily Times reports.

Shah also informed the house that the project would be of great help to address the massive power shortage in the country, as 5,000 megawatts of electricity is likely to be produced utilising the gas from the pipeline, which has been termed the ‘peace pipeline.’

Out of the total 7.6 billion dollars which would be incurred on the project, Pakistan expects to spend 1.65 billion dollars.

Earlier, the said pipeline was to be extended to India also, but it backed out of the project, as Pakistan refused to forego its demand for a hefty gas transit fee.

The IPI project was conceived in 1995 and after almost 13 years India finally decided to quit the project in 2008. (ANI)

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Indonesia PLN sees coal consumption of 95.3 mln tonnes by 2014

May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Indonesia, May 31 (Reuters) – Indonesia’s state electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), said on Monday it sees coal consumption reaching 95.3 million tonnes by 2014, up from 40.8 million tonnes this year. (Reporting by Fitri Wulandari; Editing by Sara Webb)

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British policeman wins international award for UFO sighting database

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 21(ANI): A British policeman, Gary Heseltine, has won the 2010 Disclosures Award in Washington for his database of UFO sightings in the UK.

The 49-year-old picked up the award for his website, prufospolicedatabase.co.uk, which he launched in 2002. The database includes 330 cases and the witness statements of more than 750 police officers.

“Winning the award was a total surprise, I didn’t know I was going to win until my name was read out,” The Telegraph quoted Heseltine, as saying.

“It’s also a terrific boost for my database as it puts me on an international platform and I have already been offered chances to give lectures in Brazil and Denmark,” he added.

Elucidating his fascination with the unexplained, Heseltine said it began at the age of 15, when he spotted a mysterious bright light while walking his first girlfriend home.

“I was with my first girlfriend heading towards the comprehensive school and suddenly became aware of a large bright light. Suddenly all the electricity on the housing estate we could see ahead cut out,” Heseltine said.

“We were terrified at the time, but afterwards I decided to investigate and discovered that power cuts are extremely common during UFO sightings,” he added. (ANI)

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33 workers abducted in Pakistan

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 15 (IANS) At least 33 labourers were abducted Saturday by unidentified miscreants while returning from work in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan, an official said.

The workers from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) were abducted from their cars and pick-up vehicles in Kurram Agency when they were returning after putting up some electricity installations, Xinhua quoted the official as saying.

The miscreants set one of their vehicles on fire and took the workers to an undisclosed location. Police is on their trail, the official said.

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Boffins develop ”The Kug”: a kettle and a mug!

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 12 (ANI): A mug which doubles as a kettle and features a heating element that can boil water in just 90 seconds to make a cup of tea or coffee has been developed.

Kug is the brainchild of Ben Millett, 21, and Alan Harrison, 22, who came up with it for a design project at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.

The pair had been tasked with creating a product to help people with rheumatoid arthritis when they created the Kug.

“As part of our research we met people with the condition to talk to them about what kind of problems they encountered on a day-to-day basis,” the Telegraph quoted Millett as saying.

“And when we stopped for lunch we noticed some of the ladies trying to pour a cup of tea. After chatting to them we found out how difficult it was for them to lift a kettle that”s how it all started.

“We looked at the whole process of making a hot drink – from the kettle to putting a tea bag in a cup and filling it with water. And after lots of concepts we ended up with this idea.

“It meant one less object people would have to deal with and it wouldn”t be such a strain on the wrists, hands and fingers,” Millett added.

The design even won the Arthritis Ireland Easy to Use Design Award.

The Kug, similar in size to a travel mug, is made up of two cups.

The outer cup contains the heating filament and is plugged into a base, which is powered through mains electricity.

The inner cup, which contains the liquid, can be removed and washed after every use.

Millett said: “It works just like an ordinary kettle.

“When the water”s boiled you just take the cup off the base and enjoy your drink. You can also adjust the temperate on the base so it keeps the liquid warm until you”re ready.

He added: “It”s energy efficient and saves water because you only put the amount you actually need into the cup. It”s also portable so you can have it at home or take it in the car with you and have it on your desk at work. And it”s much lighter than a kettle.” (ANI)

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Iran sees Turkish, Brazil nuclear ideas as positive

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Iran can work with proposals put forward by Turkey and Brazil to try to revive a stalled U.N.-backed nuclear fuel swap deal, a senior official said in remarks published on Saturday.

“New formulas have been raised about the exchange of fuel … I think we can arrive at practical agreements on these formulas,” the Iran daily quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast as saying. He did not give details.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad earlier this week agreed “in principle” to Brazilian mediation on the proposed fuel swap exchange with world powers, aimed at allaying Western suspicions over Tehran’s atomic ambitions.

The West fears Iran is seeking to develop nuclear bombs. Iran, the world’s fifth-largest crude exporter, says it only aims to generate electricity and has repeatedly refused to bow to international demands to halt sensitive atom work.

(Reporting by Hashem Kalantari; Writing by Fredrik Dahl)

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Truck hitting powerlines causes blackout

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A truck with a high load has been blamed for widespread power blackouts in Northam.

Western Power says the truck’s cargo hit powerlines in the town early this morning.

A spokeswoman says electricity to homes and businesses is expected to be restored later today.

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Stability of Pak may fall prey to massive electricity deficit

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, Apr.27 (ANI): Besides fighting the Taliban, which is threatening its very existence, and a sluggish economy, Pakistan finds itself mired in what appears to be its biggest crisis currently, the huge electricity deficit.

With power outages ranging from over 12 hours a day in most parts of the country, Pakistanis have been forced to return to ancient means of lighting such as candles and gas lamps.

With an excruciating summer, the power crisis has added to the woes of the people as it is severely affecting the business and day-to-day work.

The government has failed completely to soothe the simmering anger prevailing amidst the masses, which could have a determining effect on its future. Rather than finding a solution to the power shortage, it has introduced power-saving measures, which are being strongly opposed by the locals.

“They are playing a joke on us,” The New York Times quoted Amina Ali, the mother of a bride at a wedding hall that was under orders to close early as part of the new energy-saving restrictions, as saying.

“The Pakistani people are a toy in the hands of the government,” added Ali’s brother.

According to analysts, the issue could even destabilize the country if the government continues to ignore it.

“Pakistan badly needs its economy to expand to make space for its bulging young population, and chronic power cuts work against that,” the newspaper said.

Observers believe that the issue is a cause of worry for the United States also, as it is trying hard to keep the democratically elected government afloat.

Upset and frustrated over the government’s attitude over the issue, businessmen in Lahore, who once used to make good money, are planning to leave the country.

“I should move from here before I have nothing. Staying means committing suicide,” said Ali Raza, a printing press owner, who had once a prospering business.

Raza said the power crisis has almost rendered him bankrupt as he has lost clients and has also been forced to give up his upper-middle-class lifestyle.

“There’s no income; we are very worried. We feel helpless. Should we do crime?” said Mirza Arif Beg, a metal polisher in Lahore whose family business is collapsing. (ANI)

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Zardari, Nawaz tried to clip Pak judiciary’s power: Imran

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr 26(ANI): Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that by passing the 18th Amendment, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif made an attempt to clip the judiciary’s power.

Addressing a rally against loadshedding and price-hike in Lahore, Khan said he would thwart the government’s design against the judiciary.

“If Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari are true patriot, why don’t they bring their money from abroad?” The News quoted Khan, as saying.

“Despite the fact that Pakistan has no water, no electricity, people are jobless, factories are lying closed, a hefty amount of Rs. 30 million is being spent on the President of this poor country,” he added.

Khan further said that criminals are ruling the country due to which the people were suffering, and insisted that there would be no changes if people cannot fight for their rights.

“Imran called upon the nation to rise up in unison against this diabolical system of oppression and wage a crusade against forces of darkness to steer the country out of this maelstrom crisis,” The Nation quoted a PTI statement, as saying. (ANI)

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Average mother spends five months of her life doing the laundry

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, April 19 (ANI): Five months of an average mother’s life goes in washing and ironing, according to a new study.

The study states that the average mother spends twenty-six minutes every time she washes clothes with washing machine, reports The Daily Express.

And she’ll do six loads every week, says the research from cleaning firm www.ecozone.com.

“It is a staggering amount of time. Carrying out tasks like pulling tissues out of pockets, pairing up socks, ­looking under beds or behind doors for underwear take up a large chunk of their life,” said the managing director Simeon Van Der Molen.

“To make matters worse many mums are washing clothes that aren’t even dirty while a quarter are wasting electricity and water by not using a full load,” Simeon added.

A mother can be expected to spend fifty-five minutes a-week ironing. (ANI)

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Average mother spends five months of her life doing the laundry

April 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, April 19 (ANI): Five months of an average mother’s life goes in washing and ironing, according to a new study.

The study states that the average mother spends twenty-six minutes every time she washes clothes with washing machine, reports The Daily Express.

And she’ll do six loads every week, says the research from cleaning firm www.ecozone.com.

“It is a staggering amount of time. Carrying out tasks like pulling tissues out of pockets, pairing up socks, ­looking under beds or behind doors for underwear take up a large chunk of their life,” said the managing director Simeon Van Der Molen.

“To make matters worse many mums are washing clothes that aren’t even dirty while a quarter are wasting electricity and water by not using a full load,” Simeon added.

A mother can be expected to spend fifty-five minutes a-week ironing. (ANI)

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Driver dies after crashing into power pole

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A man died in a single car crash near Mildura last night.

Police say the 70-year-old Mildura man was driving north on Ontario Avenue when he appears to have lost control and hit a kerb before running into a power pole at Marziano Drive.

The crash happened just before 9:00pm (AEST).

The crash also brought down powerlines and cut electricity to the area.

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Higher bills to hit those already struggling

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Salvation Army has warned that thousands of West Australians will struggle if household charges, including electricity, gas and water, increase again.

The Treasurer Troy Buswell has signalled a rise in household charges when the budget is handed down next month.

The government has already announced increases in electricity and gas tariffs and the Treasurer has indicated water charges will also jump.

Warren Palmer from the Salvation Army says families will be under immense pressure.

“We’re really anxious for thousands of West Australians that are being faced with the reality of sharp and stinging increases and continued increases to electricity, gas and water into the next year.

“In addition to this, there’s also continuing increases in rents which people are experiencing that are already at record levels.”

Mr Palmer says he expects to see an increasing number of people seeking help.

“I think one of the biggest challenges for families is there is little stability in living expenses around us, so everything is constantly increasing, so if it’s not one thing, it’s another, and that becomes increasingly difficult when you have to manage that.”

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Rate rises flagged

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The WA Local Government Association has indicated council rates are likely to rise next financial year.

This comes after the Treasurer Troy Buswell flagged increases in electricity, gas and water charges for households.

The Mayor of Joondalup Troy Pickard, who was appointed as the new president of WALGA last night, says councils are yet to decide on increases but rates could rise by up to five per cent.

“Local governments, in order to be sustainable, need to have a gradual increase in rates to keep in line with other increasing costs.

“It’s early days in the council budget processes but I think it’s fair to say that our communities will be prepared for an increase in one form or another on their rates.

“It’s important that local governments retain financial sustainability.”

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Buswell’s tough budget warning

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Treasurer, Troy Buswell has indicated there is more pain to come for households in this year’s state budget.

With the budget due to be handed down next month, the Treasurer says the government’s focus is to deliver a surplus and to keep the state’s AAA credit rating.

The government has already increased tariffs on electricity and gas, and Mr Buswell has indicated water will be next.

“We’ve already flagged some movements in and around electricity and there will be other movements around other household fees and charges.

“They will be detailed closer to the date of the budget.

“We are mindful of the impact of any government decision on the stresses that West Australian households currently face.”

However, Mr Buswell says he has no plans to increase taxes.

“You would reasonably expect to see, as has been the case historically, that we review fees and charges.

“Now most years, most fees and charges move moderately.”

Opposition:Families suffer

The State Opposition says West Australian families are being forced to pay the price for the Government’s financial mismanagment.

The Opposition Leader, Eric Ripper, says the Government should instead focus on protecting families.

“What we’re seeing is a government with more revenue than they’ve ever had before but with more spending than they’ve ever had before, and WA families paying the price,” he said.

Small business

The Premier Colin Barnett says the holiday is over for small businesses, warning the Payroll Tax concession will be abolished on the first of June.

“To have allowed thousands of small businesses not to be paying payroll tax for 12 months was at a cost to Treasury of $100 million.

“But, that played an important role in keeping those businesses not only viable but making sure they maintained employment.”

Jobs tax

The W-A Chamber of Commerce and Industry is calling for payroll tax to be abolished, labelling it ‘a tax on jobs’.

James Pearson from the Chamber says the tax deters businesses from hiring new workers.

“Payroll tax is a tax on jobs,” he said.

“It seems to hit hardest in small businesses because it cuts in at a small number of employees and it’s paid at a rate that’s higher than most, if not, every other state in the country.”

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North Fremantle power problems

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Western Power says it expects to restore electricity to 1300 North Fremantle businesses and residents by midnight.

Power in the area was lost after a fire broke out at the North Fremantle sub-station early this morning.

Western Power says it shut down the facility and is hoping a mobile sub-station will be operating by midnight.

The fire caused about $1.5 million damage.

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