Latest news with #ERC
Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Cheaper power bills seen on the horizon
The prices of electricity bills will become slightly cheaper during the last four months of the year as authorities have agreed to decrease the power tariff by 0.03 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit), says Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga. The current power tariff, used to calculate monthly electricity bills, is 3.98 baht a unit, and is applicable until the end of August. The latest reduction followed recent talks held between the Energy Ministry and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat). Mr Pirapan did not elaborate on the reasons behind the lower tariff, saying it is broadly related to cheaper liquefied natural gas (LNG), a key fuel for the nation's power generation, and financial management. "The price of imported LNG is trending downward and authorities can help Egat deal with financial issues," he said. China's decision to reduce LNG imports, partly resulting from its move to increase domestic natural gas production, plays a key role in easing supply pressure on other Asian nations. LNG prices in the Asian spot market fell to US$11 per million British thermal units (BTU) in May, down from $16.5 million BTUs in February, according to online energy news website Part of the price of electricity bills is required to reimburse Egat and national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc for their past electricity price subsidy programmes during a surge in LNG prices. Egat runs a loss of 66 billion baht while PTT shoulders a financial burden of 15 billion baht. The need to pay back money to Egat and PTT is one major reason behind expensive electricity bills, although, according to the Energy Regulatory Committee (ERC), gas prices, including LNG, are likely to decrease during the final four months of 2025. The ERC earlier set the minimum power tariff from September to December at 3.98 and offered another two options — rates of 4.87 and 5.10 baht — for people to choose from during its online public consultation during July 17-28. The higher the power tariff, the quicker money can be repaid to Egat and PTT.
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 hours ago
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Fourth Egyptian aid convoy reaches Karm Abu Salem as Israel stalls entry into Gaza - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's fourth humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza reached the Karm Abu Salem crossing early Wednesday, after crossing from Rafah amid ongoing Israeli delays that have slowed the entry of life-saving supplies. Dozens of trucks carrying food, medical, and relief materials were seen queuing at the border, awaiting clearance to deliver urgently needed aid to the besieged southern Gaza Strip. According to Al-Qahera News, Egypt has delivered over 4,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Gaza over the past three days, despite bureaucratic and logistical obstacles on the Israeli side. The breakdown includes approximately 1,855 tonnes of food baskets, 1,640 tonnes of flour, 400 tonnes of personal care items, and 150 tonnes of medical aid. Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) officials reported that Israeli authorities delayed the entry of the fourth convoy, citing concerns that some truckloads were 'unbalanced.' Several trucks were forced to return to the Egyptian side to adjust cargo or reattempt entry the following day. The ERC, which is coordinating national humanitarian relief efforts for Gaza, launched its first convoy, named Zad El-Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza, on Sunday. That initial shipment included more than 100 trucks carrying 1,200 tonnes of supplies, primarily flour and food parcels. On Monday, the second convoy crossed into Gaza carrying around 1,500 tonnes of aid, followed by the third convoy on Tuesday with roughly 1,300 tonnes. Combined, the three convoys delivered critical food and medical support, including 440 tonnes of food baskets, 450 tonnes of flour, 150 tonnes of medications, and 200 tonnes of hygiene items. Since the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, Egypt says it has facilitated the entry of more than 35,000 aid trucks, delivering over 500,000 tonnes of humanitarian relief. However, international organizations have repeatedly warned that Israel's blockade and restrictions on aid access continue to worsen conditions on the ground, starving the Strip's 2.4 million population to death. The ERC, operating with a volunteer base of 35,000 across its logistics hubs, remains a central actor in Egypt's broader response to the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Aid groups have emphasized the urgency of sustained access and called for the immediate removal of obstructions to humanitarian delivery. Starvation crisis and aid access The delivery of Egyptian aid comes amid mounting international alarm over Gaza's deepening famine, exacerbated by Israel's ongoing blockade and bombardment. For over four months, humanitarian agencies and food security experts have warned that famine is imminent. The United Nations (UN) estimates that 600 to 800 aid trucks are needed daily to sustain life in the territory, numbers that remain far out of reach. Since October 2023, Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed over 60,000 Palestinians—primarily women and children—and injured over 144,000 others, with many still buried under rubble. But hunger has emerged as a second front of devastation. Images of severely emaciated children, many of whom have been killed by the manufactured famine engineered by Israel, have triggered growing backlash from Tel Aviv's allies, including the US, and sparked calls for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. The context of the alert is stark: one in three people is now going without food for days at a time, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said this week. Hospitals, already decimated by bombing and supply shortages, have treated more than 20,000 children for acute malnutrition since April. At least 16 children under five have died from hunger-related causes in the last two weeks. In recent days, at least five infants died from hunger-related causes. More than 900,000 children in Gaza are now suffering from hunger, and 70,000 have entered the stage of clinical malnutrition, putting them at imminent risk of death. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt 3rd aid convoy heads to Gaza with 1,300 tons of supplies - Foreign Affairs
The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) announced Tuesday that the third humanitarian aid convoy is on its way to the southern Gaza Strip via the Karm Abu Salem crossing, carrying around 1,300 tons of urgent food, medical, and relief supplies. According to an ERC statement, the convoy includes around 440 tons of food baskets, 450 tons of flour, 150 tons of medical supplies, and roughly 200 tons of personal care items. On Sunday, the ERC, the national coordination body for aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, launched its first aid convoy to Gaza after months of Israeli blockade. The first convoy, named the 'Zad Al-Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza,' consisted of over 100 trucks, carrying over 1,200 tons of food supplies, including around 840 tons of flour and 450 tons of food baskets. On Monday, Egypt dispatched its second convoy to Gaza, comprising 135 trucks loaded with more than 1,500 tons of aid, including 965 tons of food baskets, 350 tons of flour, and 200 tons of personal care items. The ERC's efforts come as part of Egypt's steadfast support for the Palestinian people amid the ongoing famine in Gaza, aiming to alleviate their suffering exacerbated by the Israeli genocidal war and around five months of blockade. The ERC, supported by 35,000 volunteers, is working tirelessly across all logistics hubs to ensure a steady flow of aid into Gaza. Since 7 October 2023, the ERC has delivered 35,000 aid trucks to the Gaza Strip, carrying over 500,000 tons of direly needed humanitarian assistance. These include food, water, medicines, medical equipment, relief supplies, hygiene kits, shelter materials, baby formula and diapers, as well as ambulances and fuel trucks. Although Israel announced on Saturday a "tactical pause" in its military operations in parts of Gaza to allow the deliveries of humanitarian aid convoys to the strip, it bizarrely continued its attacks, killing more civilians. Meanwhile, the Israeli army allowed the resumption of air-dropping aid into the Gaza Strip. "The air-dropping of aid would not end the mass starvation in Gaza, caused by months of Israeli blockade on food and supplies," said Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). According to a previous UN estimation, 600-800 humanitarian aid trucks are needed daily to keep the Gaza population alive. The delivery of aid convoys came after a broad global condemnation of Israel's policies of mass starvation and blockade, which pushed Gaza's 2.3 million population into a catastrophic famine. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt 2nd humanitarian aid convoy enters Gaza with 1,500-ton supplies - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's second convoy passed through the Karm Abu Salem crossing on its way to Gaza, carrying 1,500 tons of food and personal care supplies. The second convoy, organized by the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) and the National Alliance for Civil Development Work (NACDW), was rerouted a few kilometres to the nearby Karm Abu Salem crossing, operated by Israel, to be inspected before being allowed into southern Gaza. According to the ERC, the convoy comprises 135 trucks carrying approximately 1,500 tons of aid. It consists of 965 tons of food packs, around 350 tons of flour, and 200 tons of personal care supplies. An Al-Qahera News reporter, standing in front of the Rafah crossing, quoted ERC officials as confirming that each pack of food can sustain a seven-member family from seven to 10 days. On Sunday, ERC and NACDW launched their first aid convoy to Gaza after months of blockade. The convoy, named Zad Al-Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza, consisted of over 100 trucks, carrying 1,200 tons of food supplies, including approximately 840 tons of flour and 450 tons of food baskets. On Saturday, Israel announced a limited tactical pause in its military operations in parts of Gaza to allow the delivery of aid to starving Palestinians. This came after a joint statement by 25 Western countries and the EU's crisis commissioner on Monday, calling for an immediate end to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza. The joint statement condemned the Israeli army's aid delivery model, which exacerbated the mass starvation in Gaza. It also warned against any further attempts aimed at forced displacement or settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories. The passage of the two convoys follows global outrage over Israel's five-month blockade and the 'flour massacres' committed by the occupation army at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) aid distribution centres. Since May, over 1,000 aid-seeking Palestinians have been killed at these US- and Israeli-backed aid hubs. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos wants Siquijor power normalized by year-end
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. on Monday said he wants the power services in Siquijor province to be normalized before the year ends, as he said refunds should be made to consumers if needed following the rotational brownouts that plagued the province in May. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the administration will ensure that facilities are established for long-term gains and to avoid a repeat of the power crisis that hit the province in May. 'Ipinag-utos ko sa DOE, NEA, at ERC na pabalikin sa normal ang serbisyo ng kuryente sa Siquijor bago matapos ang taon. Titiyakin namin na maitatatag agad ang mga pasilidad para sa pangmatagalang lunas sa kanilang problema sa kuryente,' he said. 'Hindi na dapat itong maulit muli. limbestigahan ang naging kapabayaan nito, at ang iba pang mga katulad na kaso sa buong bansa. Dapat nilang ayusin ang pamamahala ng mga kumpanya ng kuryente, at ipag-utos ang pag-refund kung kinakailangan. (I have ordered the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to restore electricity services in Siquijor to normal before the end of the year. We will ensure that facilities are immediately established to provide a long-term solution to their power problems. This must never happen again. We will investigate the negligence involved in this case, as well as similar incidents across the country. These agencies must fix the management of power companies and mandate refunds if necessary.) To recall, Siquijor had rotational brownouts since May 13, 2025, prompting the Siquijor provincial government to declare a state of calamity. In June, Marcos inspected the Siquijor Island Power Corp. (SIPCOR) power plant in the province, and directed an investigation on its operations amid the power issues. He also said he is open to the possibility of having another power provider in the province. 'Sa ginawa nating imbestigasyon, ano 'yung ating natuklasan? Mga expired na permit. Mga sirang generator na halatang napabayaan, kaya sunod-sunod na bumibigay. Mabagal na aksyon, at kawalan ng maayos na sistema na pagbili ng krudo at mga piyesa,' he said Monday. (With the investigation we conducted, what did we uncover? Expired permits. Broken generators clearly neglected which is why they failed one after another. Slow response and the absence of a proper system for procuring fuel and spare parts.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
