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Power Shortages Boost Reliance on Generators
Akihiro Komuro Amid rising demand during the dry season and the risk of power plant outages, concerns are mounting in the Philippines over tight electricity supplies. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has noted that prices on the Wholesale Electricity Supply Market (WESM) could increase by approximately 4 pesos per kWh.
This increase is due to a combination of factors, including high temperatures, the shutdown of some power plants, and rising fuel costs.
These conditions are also causing instability in the power supply at the regional level. For instance, Boracay’s supply capacity has not kept pace with the surge in electricity demand fueled by the tourism recovery, prompting the use of generators in some areas. Although transmission operators aim to avoid power outages through future infrastructure improvements, reliance on backup power sources continues to some extent.
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EcoFlow Launches 2kWh Portable Power Station
Akihiro Komuro EcoFlow Technology Japan has announced that it launched its new “DELTA 3 2000 Air” portable power station. Positioned in the 2kWh class, the new unit combines 1,920Wh of storage capacity with a lightweight design aimed at improving portability for household backup power, vehicle use and outdoor applications. The company simultaneously released a 220W lightweight bifacial solar panel using TOPCon cells, presenting the products as a combined solution for improving energy self-sufficiency during outages and off-grid use.
Despite its relatively compact dimensions of 220 × 223 × 426 mm, the DELTA 3 2000 Air offers rated output of 1,000W with 1,500W surge capacity and dual AC outlets. EcoFlow says the unit can support essential appliances such as refrigerators, lighting, notebook PCs and communications equipment during blackouts. The product uses lithium iron phosphate batteries and is rated for about 3,000 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 70% capacity, underscoring its positioning as a long-life backup power device rather than a short-term consumer gadget.
The company also highlighted disaster-preparedness and business continuity planning (BCP) applications, noting that the system can be used for communications backup, temporary server protection and auxiliary power for medical devices in homes and small offices. Its flat handle and compact form factor are intended to make storage easier in limited spaces such as under car seats or in narrow household gaps. The newly launched 220W bifacial solar panel, weighing approximately 5.1 kg, is designed to complement the power station by enabling more autonomous power supply in disaster or outdoor settings. -
BYD Indonesia EV Plant Nears Production
Akihiro Komuro Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is moving closer to launching local production in Indonesia as construction of its EV assembly plant in Subang, West Java, progresses toward operational readiness. The facility is designed with an annual production capacity of approximately 150,000 vehicles and is currently entering the final preparation stage ahead of full-scale production.
According to reports, the plant has begun trial production and manufacturing line verification as the company prepares for commercial operations. The project represents one of the largest EV manufacturing investments in Indonesia and reflects the country’s efforts to attract electric vehicle production.
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2026 R&D investment Plan Prioritizes Smart Ag
Akihiro Komuro South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 2026 research and development investment plan for the agricultural sector reveals a policy to allocate budget resources primarily to the “smart agriculture” field, centered on robots, drones, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The plan aims to address structural challenges in Korean agriculture, such as an aging population and severe labor shortages, while achieving increased productivity and labor savings.
A key feature of the plan is its emphasis on developing field-implementable technologies, such as autonomous agricultural machinery, data analysis for precision farming, and unmanned pest control drones. The plan also envisions advancing the sophistication of agricultural management through the development of standalone technologies, and by establishing data integration platforms and agricultural ecosystems.
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2025-Year Motorcycle Sales Rank 2nd in SE Asia
Akihiro Komuro In 2025, the Vietnamese motorcycle market experienced strong growth, with sales increasing by 14.9% year-on-year to approximately 3.4 million units. This made it the second-largest market in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia. Indonesia maintained its top position as the region’s largest market with 6.55 million units sold, though its growth rate was limited to 0.6%. Meanwhile, the Philippines recorded 2.37 million units (+2.8% year-over-year), Thailand recorded 1.73 million units (+9.8% year-over-year), and Malaysia recorded 613,893 units (+3.5% year-over-year).
In Vietnam, the rapid expansion of electric motorcycles is reshaping the market structure. Alongside domestic companies, Chinese firms are accelerating investment in electric motorcycles, aided by stricter environmental regulations. Hanoi’s plan to restrict internal combustion engine vehicles starting in mid-2026 is further accelerating the shift towards electric vehicles.
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Marine Hydrogen Engine Project Aims for 2028
Akihiro Komuro The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar Power Solutions, and Japan Engine Corporation have announced the installation of new liquefied hydrogen fuel supply equipment for demonstration purposes, as well as the start of land-based operation of marine hydrogen engines.
This is part of a project commissioned by NEDO’s Green Innovation Fund/Next-Generation Ship Development Project. Three purely domestic engine manufacturers have formed a consortium: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar Power Solutions, and Japan Engine.
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South Korea’s Domestic Machine Tool Orders Cut 50%
The South Korean media outlet Korea Economic Daily reported that domestic machine tool orders in the second half of 2025 were about half of what they were in the same period last year.
Through November 2025, domestic orders totaled US$474.93 million (697.4 billion won), nearly a 10% decrease from the previous year. In the second half of the year (July–November), orders amounted to US$117.20 million (172.1 billion won), a 47.5% decrease compared to the same period last year US$223.30 million (327.9 billion won).
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