Mike Thomas

In this issue of Lantau Pique, we call out Asia’s growing kinky gas supply curve club and explore ways to reconcile the differences between domestic versus international gas pricing.

In this issue of Lantau Pique, we argue that coal use per se is not China’s major air quality problem. Poor local air quality is not due to how much coal China is using, but rather how China uses that coal. Policies to actively shift baseload coal generation to baseload gas-fired generation in Asia risk being amongst the least cost-effective ways to improve local air quality given available air quality control system technologies, or to reduce carbon emissions, given regional and global fuel… Show more

In this issue of Lantau Pique, we argue that coal use per se is not China’s major air quality problem. Poor local air quality is not due to how much coal China is using, but rather how China uses that coal. Policies to actively shift baseload coal generation to baseload gas-fired generation in Asia risk being amongst the least cost-effective ways to improve local air quality given available air quality control system technologies, or to reduce carbon emissions, given regional and global fuel market dynamics. Smarter environmental regulation is needed — not specific fuel mix constraints. Show less

In this edition of Lantau Pique, taking inspiration from the recent acquisition by FPM Power Holdings Ltd (FPM) of a stake in Island Power (now PacificLight Power Pte Ltd), we examine the drivers of genco asset value in the Singapore NEMS.

In this edition of Lantau Pique, taking inspiration from the career of Alex Ferguson who recently retired from managing Manchester United, the champion UK football (soccer) club, we share some thoughts on the challenges of valuing opportunities in the Asian energy sector.

In this edition of Lantau Pique, the first in a series on value, we argue that effective energy policy is about aligning perceptions of opportunities with the underlying societal value drivers those opportunities represent, not about out-guessing the future.

In this issue of Lantau Pique we discuss the future supply of natural gas and compare the economics of coal- and gas-fired generation serving the peak and intermediate load in China. We find that with the help of potential emission charges, gas-fired power generation can increase in China, but the challenges are many and (as we discuss in a later Lantau Pique on Coal in China) gas is not so much a substitute for coal-fired generation as it is an opportunity to introduce more flexible generation… Show more

In this issue of Lantau Pique we discuss the future supply of natural gas and compare the economics of coal- and gas-fired generation serving the peak and intermediate load in China. We find that with the help of potential emission charges, gas-fired power generation can increase in China, but the challenges are many and (as we discuss in a later Lantau Pique on Coal in China) gas is not so much a substitute for coal-fired generation as it is an opportunity to introduce more flexible generation technology for the mid-merit and peaking segment. Show less

In this issue of Lantau Pique we argue that it is time for the single buyer model to evolve so as to better meet the needs of Asian countries.

In this country spotlight edition of Lantau Pique, we take a closer look at some key challenges facing China’s power sector.

More and more countries in Asia are developing green- house gas emissions reduction strategies. In this Chinese New Year edition of Lantau Pique, we look at a recent proposal to reduce coal-fired generation substantially in Hong Kong using a combination of natural gas and nuclear power. The “50:40:10” proposal may be politically acceptable and technically feasible, but it is nothing like the type of regulation and market-based initiatives that are needed to truly deliver lower cost greenhouse… Show more

More and more countries in Asia are developing green- house gas emissions reduction strategies. In this Chinese New Year edition of Lantau Pique, we look at a recent proposal to reduce coal-fired generation substantially in Hong Kong using a combination of natural gas and nuclear power. The “50:40:10” proposal may be politically acceptable and technically feasible, but it is nothing like the type of regulation and market-based initiatives that are needed to truly deliver lower cost greenhouse gas emission reduction solutions. Show less

We take a look at the Philippine WESM, which is on the cusp of reaching the privatisation threshold for open access under EPIRA. Recently expanded to cover the Visayas, the WESM is the most dynamic new market in the Asia Pacific.