Earth Hour by Switching-Off TNB's Nuclear Plan(t)? (26 March 2011)

In conjunction with Earth Hour today, would you do your part by switching off lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm? I heard people are talking about earth hour since weeks before, and many shopping malls and hotels are organizing some amazing events during this special dark moment. Actually, the idea of Earth Hour came out as a way to showcase a growing global community's commitment to taking environmental action and protecting the planet we are living in.

And, this year, the one-hour is just like a moment for us to remember the lost lives in Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster, which killed more than 10,000 lives. Of course, the nuclear radiation treat are still looming in Japan, and we really needs to evaluate the effects.

But, isn't nuclear power GREEN?

As I know, nuclear power is much more environmental friendly than Coal/Gas power plant. Although Hydro power is renewable, it is devastating to the nature when construction by greatly changes the topography of the surrounding area and sacrificing the habitat of animals.

However, Japan's latest nuclear emergency is a wake-up call for aspirant TNB who is planning to build out nation's first nuclear power plant by 2015. It is likely to be hot debate in parliament and will soon become an "political agenda" in the upcoming general election.

Electricity Capacity as at June 2010. (Tenaga Nasional Bhd)

Do we really need Nuclear Power?

As of June 2010, 91% of Malaysia's electricity is generated by either gas, coal and oil. This is totally not environmental friendly. Hence, in June 2009, the Malaysian cabinet decided to include nuclear energy as part of an energy option for electricity generation particularly in Penisular Malaysia for post-2020. With the treat of climate change and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, it is no surprise that utilities worldwide are putting the nuclear alternative back on the table until the Japan disaster recently.

Other than nuclear, many people think that solar, wind and biomass energy which is renewable is an good alternative. But, it is ridiculous if we are to talk about constant and stable energy production and competitive pricing. Please bear in mind that, the more expensive power produced by TNB will translate into higher electricity tariff to consumers.

www.financemalaysia.blogspot.com

In conclusion, I think Malaysia needs Nuclear power and should proceed with the nuclear power project for sustainable power supply to power up our nation, continue growing in the future. We should not lag behind and must plan ahead for nuclear power because nuclear power plant needs 10 years to build and commissioned. The main concern for Malaysians, however, is the lack of expertise and maintenance of nuclear power. Government should address this problem thoroughly, and once solved, everything would be smooth sailing.

Source: Tenaga Nasional Bhd

MyFM's Jack Lim to open a Shopping Mall

Strategically located between Puchong, Seri Kembangan and Putrajaya, a new shopping mall within a park was planned to open in October 2011. Said to be first of its kind in Malaysia, the mall was dubbed as an one-stop outdoor living mart.

Popular MyFM DJ, Jack Lim (林德荣)

The Project:-

• Undertaken by Green Atmosphere Sdn Bhd (GA)
• Called "Garden Explore"
• RM 20 million Gross Development Value
• Occupying 5.9 ha of land area, which was leased from Tempo Properties Sdn Bhd for 10 years
• Covering 7 major zones of outdoor retailing lots, a plaza and entertainment hall, offices, cafes, restaurants and one petting zoo
• Construction will start work after Chinese New Year

The People Behind:- 

• Radio Station MyFM's Jack Lim, director of GA
• Former actor, Nick JM Wong, managing director of GA
• Weng Zheng Steel Bhd chariman Tan Ching Kee, adviser

Source: Business Times, Bernama

Super BIG Xmas gift for KNM

After a long suffering period, KNM investors can be very joyous coming this Christmas celebration with another good news announced today. In a statement after trading hours, KNM announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, KNM Process Systems Sdn Bhd (KNMPS), had landed a RM2.19 billion job in the United Kingdom.

The contract is for the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of works towards the development of an 80MWe gross capacity energy from biomass and waste recycling centre project known as EnergyPark Peterborough. Duration of the contract is about 4 years.

KNM drive into Renewable and Clean Energy Sector...

This mark another important milestone for KNM to venture into renewable energy sector, which is so popular in this energy-hunting world. This came as a surprise to investor because KNM had never been in that sector, and even surprising us was the multi-billion value contract.

Illustration of EnergyPark taken from Peterborough Community Website

The project was said expected to contribute positively to KNM's earnings for the financial years ending 31st December 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. At the same time, KNM order book rose accordingly, which could keep KNM busy for next few years.

Second contract this month

To recap, KNM (through KNMPS also) secured a RM680 million contract early this month in Uzbekistan for the supply of technical documentation, equipment and services for the development of gas condensate fields, which is for a 2 years duration.

KNM closed at RM2.69 today.

OSK and RHB are setting a fair value at RM2.96 and RM3.09 respectively now.

What would be the reviewed price after today?

Merry Christmas, KNM !!!

Cypark Resources Bhd – Our Environmental Friend

Cypark International is an integrated landscape and environmental services group that provides design and build services, build services and landscape maintenance. Cypark is also a supplier of plant materials, granites, and landscaping and architectural lighting. Cypark currently operates through its own offices and network offices in Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, China and Singapore.

Philip Capital Management (PCM):


About Cypark – Cypark is the only locally listed environmental technology & engineering specialist. It was established in 2004 and was listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia on 15 October 2010. Its principal activities involve landfill closure and upgrades, construction of waste transfer stations and operating and maintenance of waste facilities (O&M) (see Picture 1). 

Unlike Alam Flora, Cypark is NOT involved in rubbish collection; its business actually starts from the construction and operation of transfer stations. Transfer stations are centrepoints where the rubbish trucks dump the rubbish. From the transfer stations, Cypark then sends the rubbish to the landfill sites. Cypark is also involved in landfill closure and upgrades which require a leachate treatment plant to discharge the leachate, a dirty toxic liquid composed from rubbish.
 

No strong competitors – As Cypark is the only listed rubbish solutions provider in Malaysia and has good reputation on work done on Taman Beringin site, this will well keep them in good running for similar projects going forward. As per the Cypark prospectus, the key competitors of Cypark are UEM Enviro, KUB-Berjaya and Alam Flora. All these top tier players including Cypark take up 30% of the solid waste and landfill management services market share in Malaysia, whilst the rest are serviced by smaller fragmented players. We believe Cypark, being a Bumiputera company stands a good position to win more waste management jobs going forward given the plentiful landfill closure and upgrades available. Moreover, its competitors are not strong in landfill business.

112 unsanitary landfills throughout Malaysia – According to the management and news reports, there are approximately 112 unsanitary landfills or simply called dump sites throughout Malaysia waiting to be closed and rehabilitated, some of which to be upgraded to sanitary landfills. Consequently, the government has recently in its 10th Malaysia Plan unveiled a total approved budget of RM 1.5 bn for waste management spending. Out of the 112 unsanitary landfills, 16 are currently being closed and upgraded by Cypark, which indicates that Cypark has the experience and is in good stead to secure more of the landfill closure and upgrade contracts.

Federalisation of waste – Since the enactment of Waste Management Act in 2007, waste management had been taken over by the Federal Government (Federal) from respective states. This is an important change whereby all awards of projects will be given by the Federal and there will be less confusion over whom to deal with in terms of the administrative side of waste management projects. This facilitates Cypark's project tendering and collection of revenue from Federal. More importantly, federalisation of waste means funding is not a major issue.

4 GREEN Ideas for Malaysia

Last weekend, I went up to Genting for relaxing and escape from the warm weather in KL. Wondering how could Malaysians live in such condition in the next decades, if the temperature going up consistently?

 

Amazingly, when I turn-on the television, a GREEN programme was on-screen. Instead of sleeping, I watched the whole documentary about some great ideas or innovations being researched by scientists in US. The programme highlighting 4 green ideas:

1. Green Insulator

The insulator is made up with a special liquid gel, which could prevent heat transfer up to 350 degree Celsius. It can be applied in the glass (transparent) of any building, to bring the sun light in, without heating the interior. We can expect 20% energy saving from air-conditioner and lightnings.

2. Green Roof

We heard of the this idea long time ago, where people planting on the roof.
- it could absorb heat from entering the building.
- it could release fresher air back to environment just like jungle did.
- it is definitely better aura than concrete jungle.

In view of the decreasing food supply nowadays, planting vegetables or fruits above the roofs can be a good business.

3. Fiber Optic

I like this kind of technology which could bring the free flowing sun light from outside to inside of the building.

Fiber optic is flexible enough to bend and extend as long as you like. It is natural, no sound, and research show that student study under such light could let them concentrate more on studies.

Fantastic !!!

4. Nanotechnology Solar Panel

As we know, solar panel could turn sun light to generate electricity. But, it is heavy, thick and space consuming. With nanotechnology, scientists converted it into much much smaller solar panel which can be handle easily , and it can cat onto any surface of a building, making the whole building like a power plant. The only shortfall is this kind of green technology is the most expensive.

Malaysia could invite experts from other countries to design and construct using such green technology.