Issue 17, July 2021

SINGLE BUYER

ELECTRIFYING
THE FUTURE

REMARKS FROM

SINGLE BUYER
Welcome to the 17th edition of WattsUp. I hope all our readers are in good health and spirit.
As we continue to embrace our duty and responsibilities from home, the year 2021 has already passed its
midway mark. With the steep resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases, the government has ramped
up the vaccination programme. SB is in full support of the programme to ensure our country achieves herd
immunity as soon as possible so that more focus can be put to set the country on a path to recovery.
The pandemic has further affected the power industry, with the continuous cycle of “on-and-off” closure
and re-openings, cessation of construction activities and travel restriction, which not only slashed the
electricity demand but also resulted in several projects missing their scheduled commencement dates. In
the interest of the industry, SB is doing the best to support and facilitate all projects towards achieving their
commercial operations.
I am optimistic that things will get better as vaccine rollout ramps up and more people are protected from
the virus. Let us all do our part in fighting this pandemic and show solidarity by offering help where it is
needed to get us through this crisis together.
On a final note, I would like to wish Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha to all our Muslim readers. May the
celebration bring much blessings and happiness to everyone.

Charanjit Singh Gill

Chief Executive Officer
Single Buyer

WATT’S INSIDE:
NEDA — System Marginal Price Generators Update LSS@MEnTARI
NEDA — Engagement Activities Paris Climate Agreement
Industry Regulatory Framework SB Staff Announcement
Electricity Markets: Types of Electricity Markets Meet the People Behind SB — Azlan
Solar Thermal Energy (STE) SB Corner & Market Watch
Watt’s Happening Race to Net Zero
Market Research Study
 In this edition, we will take a look at one of the
most important elements in NEDA, the SMP, which
is the price used for settlement of NEDA
participants. There will be a 2-part deep dive on
this subject, and we will be covering the second
part in the next edition.

WHAT IS SYSTEM MARGINAL PRICE?

System Marginal Price (SMP) is the energy price of the most expensive
thermal generator dispatched to meet demand for every half-hour
period.

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT COULD INFLUENCE SMP?

SMP could be influenced by a combination of factors such as:
• fuel price
• system demand
• generator availability

HOW MANY SMP VALUES ARE THERE IN A DAY?

There are 48 SMP values in a day.

WHICH PARTICIPANTS ARE PAID AT SMP?

Expired PPA/SLA, Large Merchant generators and Price Takers.

HOW IS SMP USED FOR SETTLEMENT OF NEDA PARTICIPANTS?

Energy Payment for every half-hour period = Metered Output × SMP

WHERE CAN USERS OBTAIN SMP?

• SMP is publicly available and can be obtained at Single Buyer’s
website.
• Users can download the current and historical SMP at this link:
https://www.singlebuyer.com.my/resources-marginal.php
Industry players have continued to show interests
in NEDA despite all the challenges that have arisen
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SB held a number of
virtual engagement meetings with the industry
players in the second quarter of 2021 and they
were particularly focused on the solar technology.
01 OPTIC REACH VENTURE
1 April 2021 | An online meeting was held with
several representatives from Optic Reach Venture, a
local solar company. They are interested to pursue
NEDA under the Price Taker category.
02 WE POWER VENTURE SDN BHD
2 April 2021 | An online meeting was held with
several representatives from We Power Venture
Sdn Bhd, a registered solar PV service provider.
They are keen to build a solar plant under the Large
Merchant category.
03 SCATEC SOLAR
13 April 2021 | An online meeting was held with a
representative from Scatec Solar. They currently
have several LSS projects and are exploring the
prospects to join NEDA as a Price Taker.
04 ITRAMAS CORPORATION SDN BHD
22 April 2021 | An online meeting was held with
several representatives from Itramas Corporation
Sdn Bhd. Itramas were keen to know more about
how the NEDA mechanism works.
05 FIRST CORPORATION BHD
PEKAT SOLAR SDN BHD AND MEGA
22 April 2021 | SB had a virtual meeting with the
representatives from the companies. They were
keen to know about solar participation under the
NEDA mechanism.
06 ECOPLEXUS SOLAR SOLUTION
26 April 2021 | SB held an online meeting with the
company together with their counterpart in the US.
They were interested to know more about solar
participation under the Price Taker and Large
Merchant categories.
07 TOTAL IFM SDN BHD
4 May 2021 | An online meeting was held with a
representative from Total IFM Sdn. Bhd. The
company plans to participate in NEDA under the
Price Taker category by installing rooftop solar at
their warehouse.
08
CENERGI SEA SDN BHD AND ENGIE
SERVICES
7 May 2021 | An online meeting was held with
representatives from Cenergi Sea Sdn Bhd and their
counterpart, Engie Services. They were interested to
know more about solar participation under NEDA.
09
MAJLIS BANDARAN PULAU PINANG
(MBPP)
11 May 2021| SB had an online meeting with MBPP,
chaired by Dato’ Bandar Pulau Pinang. MBPP is
interested to participate in NEDA through the
installation of rooftop solar on the Spiral Bridge
built for cyclists and pedestrians.
10 ELEWERKS POWER SDN BHD
25 May 2021 | An online meeting was held with
representatives from Elewerks Power Sdn Bhd. They
were interested to establish a solar plant under
NEDA.
 The regulatory framework in Canada varies
according to the particular province (and territory).
In this edition, we focus on Ontario, the largest
province in Canada. Ontario’s electricity sector is
regulated by its independent energy regulator,
Ontario Energy Board (OEB).

OEB has practiced an evolutionary approach to the development of the performance-based regulation, whereby
each generation of the regulation introduced refinements to the prior framework.

1st Generation 2nd Generation 3rd Generation 4th Generation

Incentive Regulation Incentive Regulation Incentive Regulation Incentive Regulation
(2001 — 2005) (2006 — 2009) (2009 — 2013) (2014 — present)

Focused on:-
1. Unbundling the
generation,
transmission and
distribution rates
2. Incorporating a
market rate of return
on equity into rates
3. Setting a simple,
mechanistic annual
adjustment formula
that uses a price cap
approach and factors
in inflation and a
productivity factor.
A transitional policy
before the introduction
of the 3rd Generation
Incentive Regulation
(more comprehensive
and longer-term plan)
Guidelines for rebasing
applications and
template models were
developed, which
provided a greater level
of predictability and
higher speed of
processing despite the
highly prescriptive
framework nature.
Two major Also known as the Renewed
enhancements were Regulatory Framework for
introduced:- Electricity (RRFE) that is developed
1. A productivity stretch specifically for electricity
factor based on distributors, three main
benchmarking components:-
results
1. Rate-setting selection
2. An Incremental 2. Five-year distribution planning
Capital Module to requirement
address capital
3. Performance measurement
requirements of the
distributors Distributors’ performance is
measured through a scorecard on
four outcome dimensions:-
1. Customer focus
2. Operational effectiveness
3. Public policy responsiveness
4. Financial performance

OEB later on in 2016 published a handbook that outlines the application of the RRFE to all regulated utilities.
Source: http://publicsde.regie-energie.qc.ca/

Let’s take a look at Chapter 8: Least Cost Dispatch Scheduling Methodology as specified in the Guidelines
for SB Market

Purpose Methodology Model

• Defines the Least Cost Dispatch
Scheduling Methodology which SB
shall follow to prepare the Day Ahead
Dispatch Schedule, the Week Ahead
Dispatch Schedule and the Three
Month Ahead Dispatch Schedule
(collectively referred to as Dispatch
Schedules) and the requirements of
the Dispatch Scheduling Model
• The Methodology shall be such that
the lowest marginal cost Generating
Unit is forecast to be dispatched first
to meet demand followed by the next
lowest marginal cost Generating Unit
until all demand is met
• Marginal cost shall comprise all
payments that vary with the amount
of electricity procured, that are made
by the Single Buyer to the Generators
• SB shall ensure that the Dispatch
Scheduling Model used to produce
and finalise the Dispatch Schedules
minimises the cost of electricity
procurement given all transmission
and system constraints and the key
input data
• SB shall ensure that the Dispatch
Scheduling Model is based on the
Least Cost Dispatch Scheduling
Methodology
Welcome to our series on electricity markets! In the first article of the series, we will introduce the types
of electricity markets in the world.

01 Regulated Markets
IPP IPP
In this structure, electric utilities are regulated and vertically Generation
integrated, which means they own electricity generators and
power lines (distribution and transmission lines). Independent Transmission
power producers (IPP) may exist alongside utilities-owned
generators.
Distribution
Typically, regulators oversee how electricity tariffs are set in
regulated markets in order to keep electricity rates reasonable
for customers.
Consumers Consumers
Electricity market in Malaysia falls under this category.

Deregulated Markets 02
In deregulated markets, utilities are unbundled creating
independent energy suppliers. Electric utilities usually hold onto
network assets after unbundling and network business will
continue to be regulated.
Deregulation usually leads to creation of wholesale and retail
markets. Wholesale prices are determined from short term
markets e.g. energy markets and ancillary services markets, and in
some places from long term market e.g. capacity markets.
Deregulated retail utilities purchase electricity at wholesale prices
and then sell that electricity to customers at retail prices.
Examples of deregulated markets are Australia, UK, certain states
in the US, Singapore, and the Philippines to name a few.
As awareness of global warming and its adverse effects caused by human activities increases in the world, renewable
energy is fast gaining popularity as a way of combating the "energy trilemma". Solar energy utilisation involves the use
of radiation from the sun in many ways. The most developed technology currently is the direct use of heat energy or
Solar Thermal Energy (STE).

Collectors

COLLECTORS

• The solar field consists of mirrors, receivers, support structures, collector systems, heat transfer fluid (HTF), heat
exchanger and tracker

• Designed to have good optical performance to capture as much solar radiation. Either used directly in the steam
cycle or it is stored for later use
STORAGE

• Stores energy captured by the collector. Durable with a very good heat transfer rate and high thermal storage
density

• Comprised of the storage media, its encapsulation, HTF, storage tank, heat exchanger and tank insulation
POWER BLOCK

• Similar to all other thermal power plants with the turbine, generator, heat exchangers, cooling tower and balance
of the system
Energy from a solar photovoltaic
plant is limited as it requires the
sunlight to generate electricity.
This 'idle' time corresponds to a
sizeable chunk of the hours
available in a year. Consequently,
capacity factors of renewable
energy systems are lower. STE
offers potential for storage of
excess energy produced, for later
use. Working similarly like battery
energy storage, this will increase
operation hours and capacity to
produce power.

2Q 2021 PV market outlook shows the demand for solar plant is significantly increasing. Source: BNEF
Source: Thermal energy storage for solar power plant applications; Tonderai Linah Ruwa*, Humphrey Hugh Adun, Serkan Abbasoglu
 Tower Solar Thermal
• Has short heat transmission distance, low heat loss
and high comprehensive efficiency (up to 23%)
• Suitable for large-scale and large-capacity
commercial application (30 to 100 MW)
• Complex device structure, control system, and high
cost

100 MW concentrated solar power plant in Gansu Province, China

Trough Solar Thermal

• Has the lowest operation risk and generation cost

• Suitable for medium-low temperature solar thermal
power generation system (30 to 350 MW)
• Has the best commercial value (efficiency up to 23%)

30 MW parabolic trough power plant California , US

Disc Solar Thermal

• Suitable for medium-low temperature solar

thermal power generation system (5 to 25 MW)
• Has higher optical efficiency compared to tower
and trough solar thermal (30%)
• No energy storage capability. Suitable for
decentralised power generation

1.5 MW Maricopa Solar Plant in Arizona, US

Linear Fresnel Solar Thermal

• For small application

• Lowest efficiency (up to 20%)
• Not many projects available in the market

30 MW solar thermal power station using linear Fresnel in Murcia, Spain

Source:
1. Solar thermal power generation technology research; Yudong Liu1, Fangqin Li, and Jianxing Ren, Guizhou Ren, Honghong Shen, and Gang Liu (2019)
2. Aluminium Alloys in Solar Power − Benefits and Limitations; Amir Farzaneh, Maysam Mohammdi, Zaki Ahmad and Intesar Ahmad (2012)

Site visit to PMU Kapar
PMU Kapar
14 April 2021 | Representatives from SB and TNB Grid
conducted a site visit to PMU Kapar for one of LSS4
successful bidders, Sharp Ventures (SPP) with 50 MW
Solar Plant in Klang. The main objective of this visit is to
finalise the scope of works which will be inserted in
Appendix D of the PPA.
Grid Batteries Training
Online
4 - 7 May 2021 | A total of 45 participants from SB, GSO
and ST joined a training by ACELEREX & PGS Energy
Training, conducted by Dr Randell Johnson. The multi-
module seminar focuses on valuation, design,
procurement and operation of batteries while being
supported by real case studies from other countries.
The training is helpful to prepare participants in
refining planning approach for integration of battery
storage technology in the future system.
APRIL
JULY
Fraud & Bribery Risk Management
Online
14 June 2021 | SB staff joined a Fraud & Bribery Risk
Management Workshop organised by Integrity
Department. The workshop aims to reassess the Fraud
and Bribery Risk Register in SB and increase awareness
on the risk management amongst SB staff.
SBeeple Activities: Teh Tarik Session
Online
Apr - June 2021 | SBeeple continues to hold Teh Tarik
Session between the management and working level. SB
staff get to have exclusive sessions with each member
of the management team. The topics of discussion vary
from work, personal growth and life advices. The size of
each session remains small to ensure each participant
can be fully involved in the discussion.
 SB Gets COVID-19 Vaccines
Various Vaccination Centres

May - July 2021 | SB staff joined in the effort to get vaccinated against COVID-19. As of July, almost 100% of SB
staff have received their first dose of vaccine.

Saya telah DIVAKSINASI

APRIL
JULY
12 April 2021 | SB launched the Market Research Study project with the objective to
enhance the inputs to its long-term electricity demand forecast model. The project aims to
study how customer behaviour, energy efficiency, emerging trends and new technologies
will affect long term electricity demand.

Collect data on electricity consumption behaviour Owner & Coordinator

and trends for key customers segments and
provide insights on underlying drivers through
primary research conducted in Peninsular Malaysia

Forecast and update SB’s Peninsular Malaysia

electricity demand forecast model (LoadMAPTM) for
a 25-year horizon in terms of purchase share,
equipment purchase, tech data and market size. Consultants

Incorporate the impact of emerging trends in the

forecast model based on appropriate diffusion
models drawn from primary and secondary
research Working Group Members

Conduct a comparative analysis and benchmark

against other countries on forecast methods,
drivers and results

Summarise insights and outlooks derived from

tasks 1-4
Finalisation of the Interconnection Scopes
SB in collaboration with TNB Grid
organised a site visit with 10 selected
bidders under LSS@MEnTARI to finalise
the scopes of the interconnection, to
be reflected in the power purchase
agreements.
The site visits were arranged in April
2021 and May 2021 which involves
visiting PMU Bukit Kapar, PMU
Bidor, PMU Kapar, PMU Bukit Kayu
Hitam, PMU Chuping, PMU Sg Kechil,
PMU Bukit Selambau, PMU Pekan
Industri and PMU Tanjung Batu.
During the site visits,
Typically, the types of the
Interconnection for LSS projects are: participants discussed in detail on
the related technical requirements
• Direct connection to the existing covering tele-control, SCADA, ICT,
TNB substations; or
protection, metering, etc. based on
• Construction of a new switching the approved interconnection type.
station connecting two existing The site meetings provided clearer
TNB substations (LILO); understanding to the bidders on
depending on the proposal by TNB’s requirements and at the same
bidders and as per approved power time helped bidders to plan their
system study by TNB. interconnection works accordingly.

Halpro Engineering, one of the project under Phase Two
Large Scale Solar Program (LSS2) in Pekan, Pahang had
successfully achieved its commercial operation date (COD)
on 29 June 2021 and ever since, has been delivering 30MWac
to the grid system.
Halpro Engineering is the first solar plant in Malaysia
adopting bifacial tracking solar panels. Bifacial tracking solar
panels offer greater levels of energy output compared to the
fixed panels as it can follow the sun’s movement which
maximises the exposure to sunlight.
Aerial view of the solar
Bifacial tracking solar panels
On daily basis, Malaysians produce 35,615 ton of solid
waste with Selangor as the highest contributor at 22%.
As a long term solution for effective solid waste
management, Suruhanjaya Tenaga on 9 April 2021, had
approved for Worldwide Holding Berhad (WHB) to develop
an Integrated Solid-to-Waste Management Centre with a
total export capacity of 90MWac in Selangor. WHB will be
developing 3 Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants; WtE1, WtE2
and WtE3. WtE1 and WtE2 will be located in Jeram,
connected at distribution level, each having export capacity
of 26MWac. The projects are expected to achieve
commercial operations in 2025.
Meanwhile, WtE3 will be developed in Tanjung Dua Belas,
Selangor, to be connected at transmission network with the
export capacity of 38MWac. This project is scheduled to be
commissioned by fourth quarter of 2025.
WtE3 will be the first WtE incineration plant to be
connected to the transmission network in Peninsular
Malaysia. In this regard, on 21 June 2021, SB had organised
a virtual kick-off meeting with WHB to better understand
the nature of its operation for preparation of the power
purchase agreements.
What is the Paris Agreement?
 On the 12 December 2015, the Paris Agreement also known as COP 21 was adopted by 196 countries to address
mitigation actions to counter climate change. The agreement came into force on the 4 November 2016.

 The COP 21 agreement goal is to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the countries
that has adopted this agreement.

 Malaysia ratified to the Paris Agreement on the 16 November 2016.

Progress Monitoring
 Participants of the COP 21 agreement is required to establish an Enhanced Transparency framework (ETF) in
effort to monitor the progress on committing to the agreement.

 Starting year 2024, each participant needs to submit the report transparently on action taken and progress in
climate change mitigations action.
How does the Paris Agreement Work?
 By 2020, each country will submit their plans for climate action, known as the Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs). Through NDCs, each country will reveal their adopted action plan to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions in their nation. Malaysia presented its first NDC on the 16 November 2016, and is preparing for 1st NDC
submission by 2020-2021.
Source: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement

How does Energy sector contribute to the Malaysia GHG emission in Peninsular Malaysia?

 Electricity and heat production collectively

contribute about 103,047 Gg CO2 (39%) to
overall Malaysia Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
emission in 2016.

 For year 2020, the GHG emission from

Peninsular Malaysia power sector is
estimated to be about 101,940 Gg CO2.

 In the longer term, Peninsular Malaysia

power sector is projected to reduce its
carbon emission intensity to achieve the 45%
Reduction Target in 2030 (compared to 2005).

 The carbon emission intensity is projected to

further reduce by 65% in 2039 (compared to
2005).
Source: Report on Peninsular Malaysia Generation Development Plan 2020 (2021-2039), ST
Muhamad Zulkifli Bin Meah has
recently joined SB as the Head of
Market Operation & Assessment
effective from 1 June 2021. He
brings with him vast experience
from many years of service in TNB.
Welcome to SB En. Zul!
SB bids farewell to Alfifa Fauzan
who transferred to Regulatory and
Stakeholder Management Division
(RSMD) of TNB on 1 June 2021 to
head the Energy & Industry Analysis
department. Thank you for all your
contributions to SB!
SB also bids farewell to
Muhammad Syafiq Mazli who took
on a new position at RSMD on 21
June 2021. Syafiq’s contributions to
SB, particularly in Load Forecast
unit are greatly appreciated. We
wish him all the best!

Watt Say A recent surge of Covid-19 infections has prompted our

You
government to re-impose the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Only essential economic and service sectors are allowed to operate
during the period. Cross-district and interstate travel as well as
social, sports and educational activities were prohibited.

MCO 3.0 In this edition, we interviewed SB staff to ask their experience

during the lockdown and their hopes for the future.

In terms of working from home in MCO
3.0, it was not as difficult to adapt as we
had to during the first time. I am fortunate
enough to be able spend the lockdown
with my family this time around. I am
waiting patiently and looking forward to
play sports again. Hopefully, we will meet each other again
on the other side of this pandemic as healthy and cheerful
as always. Stay safe! ̴ Zulhazman ̴
The past 16 months have been tough as we
have to live with various social restrictions,
while the kids grew up within four walls.
Nevertheless, this pandemic is also a
blessing in disguise to me as I’m able to see
my baby grow despite all the challenges I
face working from home. I’m happy to be able to serve home
cooked foods to my family and become an amateur home
baker with the help of TM6! ̴ Nor'Azzah ̴

It has been a continuous struggle as we
went through the first MCO in 2020 and
the recent MCO 3.0 and EMCO in most of
Klang Valley areas. However, we must
continue to do our part to curb the spread
of COVID-19. I have limited my activities by
staying at home as much as possible. I do most of my
grocery purchases online. I hope the pandemic will be
brought under control soon. I look forward to be with our
loved ones without any fear and hug my parents just like
before. ̴ Roharty ̴
After two series of MCOs imposed from Mar
2020 and Jan 2021, the “excitement” of MCO
3.0 is much less as the SOPs are similar.
Thank God there is no longer panic buying.
My family has shifted all groceries shopping
online due to the contagious variants and
sporadic cases in the community. I hope we could be out of
the woods soon and I cannot wait to meet my colleagues
and friends again. I want to go back to my hometown to visit
my relatives and enjoy local delicacies once the pandemic is
under control! ̴ Goh Yin Lee ̴
 MANAGER (SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS)
SYSTEM PLANNING
MOHD AZLAN BIN UDA KANARDIN
In this issue, we speak to Azlan about his background, roles in SB and how we
should not take things for granted.
WattsUp: Can you share with us a brief
background about yourself?
Azlan: I was born in Ayer Tawar, Perak and
grew up in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. I
received my early education up until
secondary school in Kuala Lumpur. I did my
bachelor’s degree in Electrical & Electronics
Engineering in Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia, Johor Bahru.
WattsUp: How did you join SB and what
is your role here?
Azlan: I did my degree under Yayasan
Tenaga Nasional’s scholarship. Upon
graduation, I started my career in TNB in
July 2011 as an executive in Load Forecast
unit at System Planning Department (now
SB). In May 2019, I was assigned to Capacity
Planning unit to this date.
My portfolio in Capacity Planning covers
long-term generation development plan
that meets the forecasted electricity peak
demand at minimum cost subject to
financial, resource and environmental
constraints.
WattsUp: What is your favourite part
about working in SB?
Azlan: There are so many wonderful things
about working in SB. Everyone is
approachable here and we have very
supportive management team who always
welcome new ideas and innovations while
providing the best platform for the staff to
continue improving our skills and
competency.
WattsUp: What is your vision for SB?
Azlan: To be a point of reference and as a
trusted industry intelligence for power
sector.
WattsUp: The pandemic has
significantly changed how we used
to live and work. Personally, how
has COVID-19 affected you?
Azlan: In many ways, the negatives
clearly outweigh the positives. Our
lives have changed in critical ways that
will have much longer-lasting effects.
Living through a global pandemic has
driven dramatic shifts in our jobs,
eating habits, childcare, and even our
collective sense of time.
WattsUp: Apart from your career,
do you have a life goal that you
would like to achieve?
Azlan: I managed to complete my first
full marathon (42km) back in 2016. My
next goal is to join IRONMAN
Malaysia.
WattsUp: What is the first thing you
want to do after COVID-19
pandemic ends?
Azlan: One of the things I am going to
prioritise doing post-pandemic is to
visit my mother in my hometown. The
pandemic has taught many of us how
much we took lunch plans with friends
or family for granted. I am going to
definitely say yes to more of those
opportunities that I would have put off
in the past.
We hope our readers have enjoyed
getting to know another member in SB
family. A big thank you to Azlan for
agreeing to be interviewed.
Aidil Adha marks the accomplishment of the last pillar of Islam i.e. Hajj, which is the sacred pilgrimage to the holy city of
Makkah. It commemorates accomplishment as well as reminder of when Prophet Ibrahim (Peace and Blessings be Upon
Him) was willing to sacrifice his son to Allah. However, as Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) began to
carry out the sacrifice, Allah replaced Prophet Ismail (peace and blessings be upon him) with a ram and Prophet Ismail
(peace and blessings be upon him) was unharmed. Muslims perform Qurban i.e. ritual animal sacrifice of a livestock
animal during Aidil Adha.
What is Hajj?
Hajj is the pilgrimage of Muslims to Makkah. All Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to perform
Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Hajj is performed over five to six days, beginning on the 8 Zulhijjah (based on the Hijri
calendar) and ending on the 13 Zulhijjah. During Hajj, millions of Muslims set aside all differences of race, economic
status, nationality and even sects as they unite in the holy pilgrimage.
When to perform Qurban?
Qurban is performed between 10 Zulhijjah and 13 Zulhijjah. Muslims around the world commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s
(Peace and Blessings be Upon Him) complete devotion to Allah’s command by slaughtering livestock in the most humane
way and by reciting the name of Allah. Depending on regions, common livestock includes sheep, goat, cow and camel.
Meat from the Qurban will mostly be given away to others, particularly to the poor and needy.
Source: Daily Sabah; MCAS

Global coal price from January 2020 to May 2021

The downward trend in 2020 was due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic that forced many countries in
the world to go on national lockdown and shut most economic activities

However, there is a sudden surge of coal price from December 2020 due to the following factors:
• Positive sentiments from the COVID-19 vaccine rollout which caused an increase in economic activities
• Additional coal demand for heating purposes due to very cold winter conditions in the northern
hemisphere. In northeast Asia region specifically, the condition was further exacerbated by extreme
cold snaps associated with the La Nina phenomenon
• China’s aggressive spot purchases of Russia, Indonesia and South Africa coals to mitigate their acute
coal shortage for winter season
• India coal restocking post monsoon season
• Supply tightness

Coal price is high due to strong coal demand from the northern hemisphere, rising gas prices and slow
recovery of supply capacity

Source: WoodMackenzie Report May 2021

Note:
1. Used with permission from Visual Capitalist
2. This Infographic is available at https://www.visualcapitalist.com/race-to-net-zero-carbon-neutral-goals-by-country/