CONTENT and application creation for communications services will lead the transition to a knowledge based-industry under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
With data traffic increasing by 51% per year, profit focus has shifted from infrastructure to content and service providers and the Government has outlined 10 entry point projects that cater to increasing demand for services.
The ETP Report outlined 10 entry point projects (EPP) that are estimated to rake in RM35.7bil for the gross national income (GNI) in 2020 and create 43,163 jobs.
The 10 projects, placed under three themes, address content creation, expanding applications for public use and enhancing current infrastructure and require RM30bil, of which 97% will be provided by private entities.
The remaining 3% will be from public funds.
The first three projects, under the theme “Serving Tomorrow”, consist of nurturing Malaysia’s creative content industry, deploying a unified mobile and online payment system and spurring the adoption of communication technology linking businesses, households and the Government.
The second theme, “Pushing Boundaries”, contains three projects which aim to provide access to e-learning, e-healthcare and e-government services.
E-healthcare will include remote scheduling, remote monitoring, as well as online personal record keeping and payment system to increasethe efficiency of both private and public health services.
The four projects under the final theme “Enhancing Foundations” will focus on offering better broadband and network services to the public.
One of the projects, called “Ensuring Broadband for All” aims to legally require housing developers to include broadband as an essential service in addition to water and electricity through new bylaws made by the Housing and Local Government Ministry by end of this year.
The Government has set critical targets and milestones to be achieved within the next six to 12 months led by the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Demand for more international schools in Malaysia
THE Education Ministry will encourage local providers to increase the number of international schools in the country.
The demand for international schools is expected to increase due to the Greater Kuala Lumpur-National Key Economic Area’s target of increasing expatriates and the returning diaspora population.
International schools have been expanding at a rate of 10% over the past five years driven by a growth in the expatriate population.
The Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) has identified 10 providers for an expansion programme which will start next year. The progress of expansion and running marketing campaigns to engage new local and international providers will be monitored by a special team to be established by the Education Ministry.
The unit will also work together with the Higher Education Ministry, Human Resources Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and Wisma Putra on marketing Malaysia as a destination of choice for private basic education.
The capital requirement which will amount to RM2.4bil over a period of 10 years will be sourced entirely from the private sector.
This iniative will generate RM2.6bil in gross national income in 2020 and will create approximately 10,000 jobs.
The demand for international schools is expected to increase due to the Greater Kuala Lumpur-National Key Economic Area’s target of increasing expatriates and the returning diaspora population.
International schools have been expanding at a rate of 10% over the past five years driven by a growth in the expatriate population.
The Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) has identified 10 providers for an expansion programme which will start next year. The progress of expansion and running marketing campaigns to engage new local and international providers will be monitored by a special team to be established by the Education Ministry.
The unit will also work together with the Higher Education Ministry, Human Resources Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) and Wisma Putra on marketing Malaysia as a destination of choice for private basic education.
The capital requirement which will amount to RM2.4bil over a period of 10 years will be sourced entirely from the private sector.
This iniative will generate RM2.6bil in gross national income in 2020 and will create approximately 10,000 jobs.
Malaysia can become third largest solar cells producer
MALAYSIA could become the third largest producer of solar cells after China and Germany once related projects were completed next year.
The country’s aspiration is to increase its market share to 17% of world production and reach number two position behind China by 2020.
Under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), Malaysia will use its its current capabilities in producing semiconductors advantage to go into the solar industry.
It indicated that similarities in the solar and semiconductor value chain can help the country latch onto the global solar growth.
Malaysia has a strong starting position in solar. The country already has companies across the entire value chain.
To reach this goal, Malaysia needs to increase its cell and solar wafer production capacity by 10 times and silicon production capacity by 23 times by 2020.
Despite astronomical costs compared to oil, coal and other renewable energy sources, the global solar market has grown by 50% between 2005 and 2010.
This year, the global solar market is expected to hit 10 gigawatts in yearly supply and rake in RM160bil in revenue.
While solar is currently expensive, average installed system prices have dropped to about RM16.40 per watt.
Prices are expected to fall further to RM6.70 per watt or lower in 2020.
The solar market is expected to grow at 30% per year until 2015 and drop to 25% until 2020.
If solar’s energy share among renewable energies reaches its forecast of 5% in 2020, this will translate into global cumulative installed capacity of 560 gigawatts.
By then, an annual demand of 113 gigawatts will bring RM918bil of revenue in 2020, where Asia will drive a significant portion of the demand and supply in 2020.
The country’s aspiration is to increase its market share to 17% of world production and reach number two position behind China by 2020.
Under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), Malaysia will use its its current capabilities in producing semiconductors advantage to go into the solar industry.
It indicated that similarities in the solar and semiconductor value chain can help the country latch onto the global solar growth.
Malaysia has a strong starting position in solar. The country already has companies across the entire value chain.
To reach this goal, Malaysia needs to increase its cell and solar wafer production capacity by 10 times and silicon production capacity by 23 times by 2020.
Despite astronomical costs compared to oil, coal and other renewable energy sources, the global solar market has grown by 50% between 2005 and 2010.
This year, the global solar market is expected to hit 10 gigawatts in yearly supply and rake in RM160bil in revenue.
While solar is currently expensive, average installed system prices have dropped to about RM16.40 per watt.
Prices are expected to fall further to RM6.70 per watt or lower in 2020.
The solar market is expected to grow at 30% per year until 2015 and drop to 25% until 2020.
If solar’s energy share among renewable energies reaches its forecast of 5% in 2020, this will translate into global cumulative installed capacity of 560 gigawatts.
By then, an annual demand of 113 gigawatts will bring RM918bil of revenue in 2020, where Asia will drive a significant portion of the demand and supply in 2020.
Projects worth RM30bil to put nation on the ETP roadmap
By SIRA HABIBU and JOSHUA FOONG sira@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: Nine agreements worth at least RM30bil have been inked between the Government and the private sector, boosting the RM1.3tril Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
“This will convince those who have doubted the ETP,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday at the launch of the goal-oriented programme, which is seeking to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation by 2020.
He said the agreements to kick-start nine Entry Point Projects (EPPs) would put the nation on the right course on the ETP roadmap.
The companies are German-based LFoundry, St Regis, Mydin Group, Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala, WCT Bhd, renowned oilfield services player Schlumberger, Asia e-university, Premium Renewable Energy Sdn Bhd and Genting Bhd.
The projects are:
* Germany’s LFoundry will invest a total of RM1.9bil to set up five wafer fabrication plants in Kulim Hi-Tech, Kedah. The initial investment is RM214mil.
* St Regis will build a six-star hotel and residence worth RM1.2bil in KL Sentral. The 208-room hotel and 160-unit residence will be built on a 0.88ha plot.
* Mydin is investing RM1bil to open 14 new branches and assisting the Government in its sundry shop transformation programme.
* Schlumberger has invested RM300mil to establish a new Global Financial Hub and shared services in Bandar Utama, Selangor. This is part of the Greater KL New Key Economic Area to attract 100 multinational corporations to relocate to Kuala Lumpur by 2020.
* Premium Renewable Energy will set up a RM124mil bio-oil plant in Lahad Datu, Sabah. It is also investing in 29 bio-oil plants by 2020 as part of the Palm Oil NKEA to commercialise second-generation biofuel using oil palm biomass.
* Mubadala of Abu Dhabi is investing in the RM26bil KL International Financial District on a 34-ha plot near Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
* Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd had awarded a 25-year concession to WCT Bhd to build a RM486mil integrated complex at KLIA 2, the upcoming low-cost carrier terminal in Sepang.
* Asia e-University has been picked as the gateway university for international education in distance and on-line learning. It is expected to generate gross national income of RM100mil.
* Genting is investing RM150mil to build Johor Premium Outlets in Genting Indahpura.
Najib said the projects were part of the 131 EPPs that would be implemented to create 3.3 million new jobs.
KUALA LUMPUR: Nine agreements worth at least RM30bil have been inked between the Government and the private sector, boosting the RM1.3tril Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
“This will convince those who have doubted the ETP,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday at the launch of the goal-oriented programme, which is seeking to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation by 2020.
He said the agreements to kick-start nine Entry Point Projects (EPPs) would put the nation on the right course on the ETP roadmap.
The companies are German-based LFoundry, St Regis, Mydin Group, Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala, WCT Bhd, renowned oilfield services player Schlumberger, Asia e-university, Premium Renewable Energy Sdn Bhd and Genting Bhd.
The projects are:
* Germany’s LFoundry will invest a total of RM1.9bil to set up five wafer fabrication plants in Kulim Hi-Tech, Kedah. The initial investment is RM214mil.
* St Regis will build a six-star hotel and residence worth RM1.2bil in KL Sentral. The 208-room hotel and 160-unit residence will be built on a 0.88ha plot.
* Mydin is investing RM1bil to open 14 new branches and assisting the Government in its sundry shop transformation programme.
* Schlumberger has invested RM300mil to establish a new Global Financial Hub and shared services in Bandar Utama, Selangor. This is part of the Greater KL New Key Economic Area to attract 100 multinational corporations to relocate to Kuala Lumpur by 2020.
* Premium Renewable Energy will set up a RM124mil bio-oil plant in Lahad Datu, Sabah. It is also investing in 29 bio-oil plants by 2020 as part of the Palm Oil NKEA to commercialise second-generation biofuel using oil palm biomass.
* Mubadala of Abu Dhabi is investing in the RM26bil KL International Financial District on a 34-ha plot near Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
* Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd had awarded a 25-year concession to WCT Bhd to build a RM486mil integrated complex at KLIA 2, the upcoming low-cost carrier terminal in Sepang.
* Asia e-University has been picked as the gateway university for international education in distance and on-line learning. It is expected to generate gross national income of RM100mil.
* Genting is investing RM150mil to build Johor Premium Outlets in Genting Indahpura.
Najib said the projects were part of the 131 EPPs that would be implemented to create 3.3 million new jobs.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Qld firm wins rich deal in LNG project
Source:
By PATRICK TALU
THE Toowoomba-based construction materials group Wagners Global Services has won a multi-million dollar contract to operate two concrete plants for ExxonMobil’s US$18 billion PNG LNG project.Through the help of the Australian government’s Export Finance and Insurance Corp (EFIC), Wagners will supply, install and operate the plants for the Southern Highlands project, according to an article on the Queensland Business Review (QBR) online yesterday.The actual contract value was not disclosed.QBR said Wagners would work in collaboration with Japanese engineering and construction firms Chiyoda Corp and JGC Corp, whose joint venture CJJV is building the LNG plant for Esso Highlands Ltd, a consortium led by PNG LNG project operator ExxonMobil.Wagners general manager John Watts reportedly said EFIC, the federal government’s export credit agency, had provided two performance bonds to CJJV on behalf of the company.“The Australian commercial banks would have required full security to issue the performance bonds to a party in a foreign jurisdiction and we couldn’t afford to tie up our cash resources in that way,” Watts said.“EFIC’s bonds have freed up our working capital, enabling us to deliver this large-scale contract in a challenging location,” he added.EFIC has provided a US$350 million loan to the broader PNG LNG project, joining an international syndicate of export credit agencies and commercial lenders.Wagners will install and operate two ready-mix wet-batch mobile concrete plants and supply around 130,000 cubic metres of cement for the construction of the LNG plant.
By PATRICK TALU
THE Toowoomba-based construction materials group Wagners Global Services has won a multi-million dollar contract to operate two concrete plants for ExxonMobil’s US$18 billion PNG LNG project.Through the help of the Australian government’s Export Finance and Insurance Corp (EFIC), Wagners will supply, install and operate the plants for the Southern Highlands project, according to an article on the Queensland Business Review (QBR) online yesterday.The actual contract value was not disclosed.QBR said Wagners would work in collaboration with Japanese engineering and construction firms Chiyoda Corp and JGC Corp, whose joint venture CJJV is building the LNG plant for Esso Highlands Ltd, a consortium led by PNG LNG project operator ExxonMobil.Wagners general manager John Watts reportedly said EFIC, the federal government’s export credit agency, had provided two performance bonds to CJJV on behalf of the company.“The Australian commercial banks would have required full security to issue the performance bonds to a party in a foreign jurisdiction and we couldn’t afford to tie up our cash resources in that way,” Watts said.“EFIC’s bonds have freed up our working capital, enabling us to deliver this large-scale contract in a challenging location,” he added.EFIC has provided a US$350 million loan to the broader PNG LNG project, joining an international syndicate of export credit agencies and commercial lenders.Wagners will install and operate two ready-mix wet-batch mobile concrete plants and supply around 130,000 cubic metres of cement for the construction of the LNG plant.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Marengo inks financing deal with China
Source:
By PATRICK TALU
MARENGO Mining (MGO), the operator of the Yandera gold, copper and molybdenum project in Madang, has signed a landmark financing and off-take deal with a Chinese construction and engineering group for its 100% owned Yandera project.
In a statement released yesterday, MGO said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China’s Nonferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering and Construction (NFC) was facilitated by Perth-based Arccon WA Pty Ltd (Arccon).
Under the MOU, Marengo has agreed to work exclusively with NFC and Arccon to establish the cost and programme for delivery of the Yandera project in parallel with the completion of the current definitive feasibility study (DFS).
Marengo’s managing director Les Emery said: “This potentially paves the way for formal agreements which will underpin the development of one of the world’s significant new copper projects.”
“While the foundation of the MOU is the construction and engineering contract for the Yandera project, it is important to note that the deal also contemplates NFC facilitating project finance and concentrate off-take for the project, together with potentially investing either in Marengo or the project, or both,” he said.
NFC president Wang Hongqian added: “NFC looks forward to a close and co-operative relationship with Marengo Mining as we work together to lay the foundations for one of the world’s biggest new copper mines in PNG.”
They said the discussions would be conducted to enter into a formal construction agreement (engineering, procurement and construction or EPC contract).
Here, Marengo will appoint NFC as the principal contractor, under a lump-sum turnkey contract, following a detailed evaluation of the project construction costs to be undertaken by NFC as part of the final stage of the DFS.
Bligh bats for PNG hydro-power plan
QUEENSLAND premier Anna Bligh has talked up the potential of two big renewable energy projects in North Queensland and Papua New Guinea’s Purari River, saying they could help the region take the “next giant leap forward”.
She also quelled fears the PNG scheme could hurt renewable energy proposals in North Queensland, saying the two schemes were complementary.
The 50-50 owned Australian-based energy company Origin Energy and PNG Sustainable Development Program’s ambitious plans to build a multi-billion-dollar hydro-electric plant in Gulf near Purari River and send the electricity back to Australia via an undersea cable have not impressed investors or analysts.
The Townsville Bulletin yesterday, reporting on Bligh’s six-day visit to the North Queensland, said a host of renewable energy projects had been mooted along what had been dubbed the clean energy corridor between Townsville and Mount Isa.
A BIS Schrapnel report has found there was potential for 900MW of installed renewable capacity to be connected to the grid through an AC transmission line by 2015-16 - 300MW in baseload power from biomass and solar thermal sources and another 600MW from wind power.
The newspaper reported that Origin Energy was assessing the potential for an 1800MW hydro-electric scheme on the Purari River in PNG and exporting power into Australia’s energy grid via a cable link to North Queensland by 2020.
There have been fears the PNG scheme could ruin plans for North Queensland schemes although Bligh and energy consultant John O’Brien, a director of one of the companies pushing development of the AC transmission line called the CopperString project, doused that yesterday.
Bligh said the two projects complemented one another while O’Brien said the increasing demand for electricity meant the region would need all the sources of power it could get to meet requirements.
“I think the Townsville community, particularly the business community, understands that reliable base-load power is critical to this economy taking its next great leap forward,” Bligh said.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Emal to raise $700m from agencies
09 Dec 2009
Emirates Aluminium (Emal), which has plans to become the world's biggest single aluminium smelter, expects to raise $700 million (Dh2.5 billion) from credit agencies by next month, the finance chief said.So far there has been no difficulties in raising funds for the project's phase two, said CFO Bill Campbell."We are raising $700m from Export Credit Agencies, which is in a cash-closing position, and is expected to close next month," he said.Emal is a 50-50 joint venture between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle. He also said the company would raise $700m amortising bond in March/April, with an average life of 7.5 years."The remaining $600m will be raised from shareholders Mubadala or Dubal or money earned or savings," he added.Emal will start its first exports shipment in January, Campbell said.The $5.7bn project, located at Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi, will have a full production capacity of 700,000 metric tonnes of aluminium per year from the first phase, expected to be reached by December 2010. Phase one is expected to break even in June 2011, Campbell said, adding that "price assesment is well below prices today".
Emirates Aluminium (Emal), which has plans to become the world's biggest single aluminium smelter, expects to raise $700 million (Dh2.5 billion) from credit agencies by next month, the finance chief said.So far there has been no difficulties in raising funds for the project's phase two, said CFO Bill Campbell."We are raising $700m from Export Credit Agencies, which is in a cash-closing position, and is expected to close next month," he said.Emal is a 50-50 joint venture between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle. He also said the company would raise $700m amortising bond in March/April, with an average life of 7.5 years."The remaining $600m will be raised from shareholders Mubadala or Dubal or money earned or savings," he added.Emal will start its first exports shipment in January, Campbell said.The $5.7bn project, located at Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi, will have a full production capacity of 700,000 metric tonnes of aluminium per year from the first phase, expected to be reached by December 2010. Phase one is expected to break even in June 2011, Campbell said, adding that "price assesment is well below prices today".
Emal to export aluminium to South Korea
11 Feb 2010
State-owned Emirate's Aluminium (Emal) has signed a contract to ship aluminium to South Korea's Daewoo International Corporation, Wam reported. This would be the company's first international shipment of the metal. "We are delivering our first shipment to Daewoo," Saeed Al Mazroui, Emal's Chief Executive told Wam. "This agreement is in line with our business strategy to develop a wide international client base," he added. No details were given on the quality of aluminium that was sent. By the end of 2010, Emal plans to ramp up production of its $5.7 billion (Dh20.93bn) project located at Al Taweelha in Abu Dhabi to 700,000 tonnes of aluminium per year (tpy).Emal is a 50-50 joint venture between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle.Emal is expected to be the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter complex. The first phase of the project will have a capacity of 2,000 megawatts of electricity.
State-owned Emirate's Aluminium (Emal) has signed a contract to ship aluminium to South Korea's Daewoo International Corporation, Wam reported. This would be the company's first international shipment of the metal. "We are delivering our first shipment to Daewoo," Saeed Al Mazroui, Emal's Chief Executive told Wam. "This agreement is in line with our business strategy to develop a wide international client base," he added. No details were given on the quality of aluminium that was sent. By the end of 2010, Emal plans to ramp up production of its $5.7 billion (Dh20.93bn) project located at Al Taweelha in Abu Dhabi to 700,000 tonnes of aluminium per year (tpy).Emal is a 50-50 joint venture between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle.Emal is expected to be the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter complex. The first phase of the project will have a capacity of 2,000 megawatts of electricity.
Emal will be fully operational by 2013
14 March 2010
World's largest aluminium smelter will cost an estimated $10 billion.
Emirates Aluminium (Emal), the 50:50 joint venture project between Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal) will be fully operational in 2013. Once completed, it will become the world's largest alumina smelter and will cost a projected $10 billion (Dh36.72bn).
The smelter plant, which has already started production and exports, spreads across a six sq km plot in the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone in Taweelah, along the coastline close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai Highway.
Emal is the first and largest industrial unit in the industrial zone which is also set to become Abu Dhabi's first free industrial zone close to the country's largest seaport, Port Khalifa, which is under development.
The multi-billion dirham infrastructure facilities around the zone include link roads, external highways and a network of freight rail system to be built in future.
Emal was conceived and established in 2007 under an Emiri Decree issued by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Construction of the project started in early 2008. Emal also has to its credit, the distinction of being one of the world's largest industrial units to start production and exports, within a short span of time.
Emirates Business was the first and till date, the only media organisation to have been allowed to visit and tour the world's largest aluminium smelter site. The news team was escorted around the site and briefed about all the processes – from the arrival of raw materials to the finished product and exports.
"The first phase of the project will be fully operational by end 2010 or the beginning of 2011. Once fully operational, the first phase will have a capacity of 750,000 tonnes primary aluminium per year," said Yousef Bastaki, Project Director, Emal. When asked about the cost of the first phase, he said it was being built at a cost of approximately $5.7bn.
Commenting on current production capacity, he said Emal was at the start-up stage with production going online and marketing having begun. "We are very pleased with the highest environmental, health and safety performance. Once phase one is fully operational, Emal will have a production capacity of 750,000 tonnes of finished products."
Emal began its ramp-up to full production in December 2009 with the delivery of the first crucibles of molten metal from the smelter to the plant cast-house, and the first metal was cast to 650kg sow ingot.
The first local customer, Trans Gulf Aluminium (TGA), a local manufacturer of aluminium wire and rods and alloy ingots, was announced on February 3, followed by the first international client, Korea's Daewoo.
About Emal's market targets, Bastaki said: "We are a global player targeting customers around the world. We target all markets, local, regional and global. We are proud to have already started our first international shipment or export to South Korean conglomerate Daewoo International, our first international client last month. It is a big achievement in such a short period of time."
Emal, which is located close to Port Khalifa, has its own power plant with a capacity of 2000MW of electricity to run the plants in the first phase. Another power plant of similar power capacity is to be added in the second phase of the project.
In addition, it also has its own mini-port to receive raw material through conveyors directly from cargo vessels and to transport finished products through the on-site road-networks that will be further advanced with an internal freight rail network in future.
Being an environment-friendly project with health and safety facilities, the site has its own sewerage treatment plant in the first phase and will build another when the second phase is completed in 2013.
Elaborating on phase two of the project, Bastaki said: "It is still under feasibility studies. Phase two, when complete, will double production capacity. It will increase to 1.5 million tonnes per annum, making Emal the world's most productive and efficient single site aluminium smelter complex."
When asked about the cost of the project's second phase, he said it was too early to give a figure. "The feasibility study will tell us soon." On financing, Bastaki said this would not be a problem as both the stakeholders were strong enough to finance the project and had already worked out the estimates.
Bastaki said: "We have already started studying the financing of phase two. Hopefully, that will not be a problem as both our stakeholders – Mubadala and Dubal – are strong in finance. Once the feasibility study for phase two is finalised, we will be in a position to determine the extent of finance needed. When you are building a smelter that has a 50-year operating life, you don't do the economics based on today's situation."
About raw material supplies, Bastaki said most of these currently come from Australia, which is the largest exporter of alumina. He said Emal also gets its raw material supplies from China and other countries. "Though we have not fully completed the first phase and are embarking on the second phase, we have had no problem in supplies of raw material, which have been smooth so far."
Referring to the break-up between exports and local market sales of finished products, Bastaki said Emal was targeting a minimum of 20 per cent supplies for the local market and the rest for export to international markets. About 51 contractors and sub-contractors are involved in the construction of the complex with more than 20,000 workers at the site during peak-working hours.
"Now we have 15,777 workers working at the site. Emal currently employs around 1,000 people and when fully operational with the completion of phase two, this number is likely to cross 2,000," said Bastaki.
The complex is using UAE-owned technology, conceived at Dubal, to produce aluminium products from raw material. The complex also has the world's largest pot-room – 1,390 metres long. The complex produces low and high profile sows, standard and tee ingots, extrusion billets and sheet ingots.
The first phase has identical six gas turbines and two steam turbines, in addition to three gas turbines that are already operational – 11, 12 and 21. The complex currently has three alumina silos, each with a capacity of 17,000 tonnes; and two cork silos with capacity of 25,000 tonnes each. Additional, smaller silos to receive and store alumina will also be built. It has several large lines of pot-rooms with strong magnetic fields that can even stop a car from running.
When phase two is completed, all the processing plants, power plants and sewerage treatment plants will be doubled to make Emal one of the world's massive aluminium complexes – a mini city that will rise from the once barren salt flats along the Abu Dhabi-Dubai Highway..
EMIRATES ALUMINIUM: THE FACTS
Emirates Aluminium (Emal) was established through a 50:50 joint venture partnership between Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala)
The joint venture agreement was signed in November 2007
Operations at Phase One of the plant commenced on December 2 last year
The complex is to be built in two phases on a six sq km site in Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone, Al Taweelah – halfway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Emal is an important strategic initiative for Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the UAE, and a key component of Abu Dhabi's diversification and industrialisation policy
The cost of building Phase One is approximately $5.7 billion (Dh20.93bn). This results in 756 reduction cells arranged in two pot-lines, on-site 2,000 MW power plant, anode manufacturing plant and multi-product cast house
More than 19,000 local, international contractors and staff are employed during construction
Emal's operational workforce provides direct employment to approximately 2,000 people
The project generates jobs, encourages economic diversification and downstream development opportunities
Its target is to achieve zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI), a low incident frequency rate and minimum impact on the environment
Emal's environmental strategy is compliant with Abu Dhabi Environment Agency standards and local laws, and envisages adoption of global best practices wherever possible
STORY IN NUMBERS
- $10bn will be the cost of the project once it is fully operational by 2013
- 1.5 million tonnes will be the total production capacity per annum
- 750,000 tonnes will be the plant'scapacity once phase one is completed by the end of 2010
- $5.7 is the cost of phase one
- 6 sq km is the area of the site on which the entire project will be located
- 2000MW is the amount of electricity the Emal power plant will generate
- 20,000 workers will be employed on site during peak working hours
OPERATIONAL CAPACITY: PHASE I
- Configuration:2 pot-lines, 756 reduction cells
- Technology:Dubal DX, 350kA
- Power Station:2,000 MW
PROJECT TIMELINE: PHASE I
- February 2007:JV Signed
- January 2008:Construction commenced
- April 2008:First Concrete
- December 2009:First Metal
- January 2011:Full Operation
World's largest aluminium smelter will cost an estimated $10 billion.
Emirates Aluminium (Emal), the 50:50 joint venture project between Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal) will be fully operational in 2013. Once completed, it will become the world's largest alumina smelter and will cost a projected $10 billion (Dh36.72bn).
The smelter plant, which has already started production and exports, spreads across a six sq km plot in the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone in Taweelah, along the coastline close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai Highway.
Emal is the first and largest industrial unit in the industrial zone which is also set to become Abu Dhabi's first free industrial zone close to the country's largest seaport, Port Khalifa, which is under development.
The multi-billion dirham infrastructure facilities around the zone include link roads, external highways and a network of freight rail system to be built in future.
Emal was conceived and established in 2007 under an Emiri Decree issued by the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Construction of the project started in early 2008. Emal also has to its credit, the distinction of being one of the world's largest industrial units to start production and exports, within a short span of time.
Emirates Business was the first and till date, the only media organisation to have been allowed to visit and tour the world's largest aluminium smelter site. The news team was escorted around the site and briefed about all the processes – from the arrival of raw materials to the finished product and exports.
"The first phase of the project will be fully operational by end 2010 or the beginning of 2011. Once fully operational, the first phase will have a capacity of 750,000 tonnes primary aluminium per year," said Yousef Bastaki, Project Director, Emal. When asked about the cost of the first phase, he said it was being built at a cost of approximately $5.7bn.
Commenting on current production capacity, he said Emal was at the start-up stage with production going online and marketing having begun. "We are very pleased with the highest environmental, health and safety performance. Once phase one is fully operational, Emal will have a production capacity of 750,000 tonnes of finished products."
Emal began its ramp-up to full production in December 2009 with the delivery of the first crucibles of molten metal from the smelter to the plant cast-house, and the first metal was cast to 650kg sow ingot.
The first local customer, Trans Gulf Aluminium (TGA), a local manufacturer of aluminium wire and rods and alloy ingots, was announced on February 3, followed by the first international client, Korea's Daewoo.
About Emal's market targets, Bastaki said: "We are a global player targeting customers around the world. We target all markets, local, regional and global. We are proud to have already started our first international shipment or export to South Korean conglomerate Daewoo International, our first international client last month. It is a big achievement in such a short period of time."
Emal, which is located close to Port Khalifa, has its own power plant with a capacity of 2000MW of electricity to run the plants in the first phase. Another power plant of similar power capacity is to be added in the second phase of the project.
In addition, it also has its own mini-port to receive raw material through conveyors directly from cargo vessels and to transport finished products through the on-site road-networks that will be further advanced with an internal freight rail network in future.
Being an environment-friendly project with health and safety facilities, the site has its own sewerage treatment plant in the first phase and will build another when the second phase is completed in 2013.
Elaborating on phase two of the project, Bastaki said: "It is still under feasibility studies. Phase two, when complete, will double production capacity. It will increase to 1.5 million tonnes per annum, making Emal the world's most productive and efficient single site aluminium smelter complex."
When asked about the cost of the project's second phase, he said it was too early to give a figure. "The feasibility study will tell us soon." On financing, Bastaki said this would not be a problem as both the stakeholders were strong enough to finance the project and had already worked out the estimates.
Bastaki said: "We have already started studying the financing of phase two. Hopefully, that will not be a problem as both our stakeholders – Mubadala and Dubal – are strong in finance. Once the feasibility study for phase two is finalised, we will be in a position to determine the extent of finance needed. When you are building a smelter that has a 50-year operating life, you don't do the economics based on today's situation."
About raw material supplies, Bastaki said most of these currently come from Australia, which is the largest exporter of alumina. He said Emal also gets its raw material supplies from China and other countries. "Though we have not fully completed the first phase and are embarking on the second phase, we have had no problem in supplies of raw material, which have been smooth so far."
Referring to the break-up between exports and local market sales of finished products, Bastaki said Emal was targeting a minimum of 20 per cent supplies for the local market and the rest for export to international markets. About 51 contractors and sub-contractors are involved in the construction of the complex with more than 20,000 workers at the site during peak-working hours.
"Now we have 15,777 workers working at the site. Emal currently employs around 1,000 people and when fully operational with the completion of phase two, this number is likely to cross 2,000," said Bastaki.
The complex is using UAE-owned technology, conceived at Dubal, to produce aluminium products from raw material. The complex also has the world's largest pot-room – 1,390 metres long. The complex produces low and high profile sows, standard and tee ingots, extrusion billets and sheet ingots.
The first phase has identical six gas turbines and two steam turbines, in addition to three gas turbines that are already operational – 11, 12 and 21. The complex currently has three alumina silos, each with a capacity of 17,000 tonnes; and two cork silos with capacity of 25,000 tonnes each. Additional, smaller silos to receive and store alumina will also be built. It has several large lines of pot-rooms with strong magnetic fields that can even stop a car from running.
When phase two is completed, all the processing plants, power plants and sewerage treatment plants will be doubled to make Emal one of the world's massive aluminium complexes – a mini city that will rise from the once barren salt flats along the Abu Dhabi-Dubai Highway..
EMIRATES ALUMINIUM: THE FACTS
Emirates Aluminium (Emal) was established through a 50:50 joint venture partnership between Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala)
The joint venture agreement was signed in November 2007
Operations at Phase One of the plant commenced on December 2 last year
The complex is to be built in two phases on a six sq km site in Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone, Al Taweelah – halfway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Emal is an important strategic initiative for Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the UAE, and a key component of Abu Dhabi's diversification and industrialisation policy
The cost of building Phase One is approximately $5.7 billion (Dh20.93bn). This results in 756 reduction cells arranged in two pot-lines, on-site 2,000 MW power plant, anode manufacturing plant and multi-product cast house
More than 19,000 local, international contractors and staff are employed during construction
Emal's operational workforce provides direct employment to approximately 2,000 people
The project generates jobs, encourages economic diversification and downstream development opportunities
Its target is to achieve zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI), a low incident frequency rate and minimum impact on the environment
Emal's environmental strategy is compliant with Abu Dhabi Environment Agency standards and local laws, and envisages adoption of global best practices wherever possible
STORY IN NUMBERS
- $10bn will be the cost of the project once it is fully operational by 2013
- 1.5 million tonnes will be the total production capacity per annum
- 750,000 tonnes will be the plant'scapacity once phase one is completed by the end of 2010
- $5.7 is the cost of phase one
- 6 sq km is the area of the site on which the entire project will be located
- 2000MW is the amount of electricity the Emal power plant will generate
- 20,000 workers will be employed on site during peak working hours
OPERATIONAL CAPACITY: PHASE I
- Configuration:2 pot-lines, 756 reduction cells
- Technology:Dubal DX, 350kA
- Power Station:2,000 MW
PROJECT TIMELINE: PHASE I
- February 2007:JV Signed
- January 2008:Construction commenced
- April 2008:First Concrete
- December 2009:First Metal
- January 2011:Full Operation
Emal's $5.7bn aluminium smelter project on schedule
Output should reach 700,000 tonnes by December.
Potline number one of Emirate's Aluminium (Emal) is 50 per cent complete in terms of construction, according to a senior official.
Meanwhile, three gas turbines out of six are now in operation to produce the power required for the smelter.
"We are looking at the operations of power stations of around 200 MW power by December this year," said its Project Director Yousuf Bastaki.
Emal is currently undertaking feasibility studies on the second phase of its plant and expects to take a decision this year.
The $5.7 billion (Dh20.9bn) project, located at Al Taweelha in Abu Dhabi, is a joint venture between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company – Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle.
In an interview with its project director, Reuters said yesterday Emal is currently producing 300 tonnes a day, and expects to hit its production target of 700,000 tonnes per year for phase one by December.
Emal is expected to be the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter complex with this project. The first phase of the project will have a capacity of 2,000 MW of electricity.
The second phase of the plant, which will increase capacity to 1.4 million tonnes of aluminium annually is expected to be completed by 2013-2014, the company's Chief Executive Officer Saeed Al Mazroui said in January.
"They are currently conducting the feasibility study," said Emal's Vice-Chairman Abdulla Kalban.
Emal signed a contract this month to ship aluminium to South Korea's Daewoo International Corporation.
Potline number one of Emirate's Aluminium (Emal) is 50 per cent complete in terms of construction, according to a senior official.
Meanwhile, three gas turbines out of six are now in operation to produce the power required for the smelter.
"We are looking at the operations of power stations of around 200 MW power by December this year," said its Project Director Yousuf Bastaki.
Emal is currently undertaking feasibility studies on the second phase of its plant and expects to take a decision this year.
The $5.7 billion (Dh20.9bn) project, located at Al Taweelha in Abu Dhabi, is a joint venture between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company – Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle.
In an interview with its project director, Reuters said yesterday Emal is currently producing 300 tonnes a day, and expects to hit its production target of 700,000 tonnes per year for phase one by December.
Emal is expected to be the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter complex with this project. The first phase of the project will have a capacity of 2,000 MW of electricity.
The second phase of the plant, which will increase capacity to 1.4 million tonnes of aluminium annually is expected to be completed by 2013-2014, the company's Chief Executive Officer Saeed Al Mazroui said in January.
"They are currently conducting the feasibility study," said Emal's Vice-Chairman Abdulla Kalban.
Emal signed a contract this month to ship aluminium to South Korea's Daewoo International Corporation.
Emal secures $737m loans for smelter project
The UAE's state-owned Emirates Aluminium (Emal) has secured loans worth around $737 million from export credit agencies to help finance its smelter project, the company said in a statement on Sunday.
When completed, the $5.7 billion project would be the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter complex at Al Taweelha in Abu Dhabi. Emal is a 50-50 joint venture between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle.
The loan agreement was signed with three export credit agencies, Export-Import Bank of the United States (U.S. Ex-Im), Euler Hermes Kreditversicherungs-AG (Hermes) and the Compagnie Francaise d'Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur (COFACE), Emal said.
U.S. Ex-Im will provide $317 million, Hermes $220 million, and COFACE $200 million, the statement said. Each credit facility has a 14-year repayment period.
Emal expects the first phase of the project to produce 700,000 tonnes of aluminium per year (tpy) by the end of this year after starting up in January.
Emal would boost capacity to 1.4 million tpy with the second phase, which it expects to complete in 2013-2014.
The expansion also involves the construction of a power plant, with capacity to produce 2,000 megawatts for the first phase of the expansion.
When completed, the $5.7 billion project would be the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter complex at Al Taweelha in Abu Dhabi. Emal is a 50-50 joint venture between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (Dubal) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala), Abu Dhabi's investment vehicle.
The loan agreement was signed with three export credit agencies, Export-Import Bank of the United States (U.S. Ex-Im), Euler Hermes Kreditversicherungs-AG (Hermes) and the Compagnie Francaise d'Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur (COFACE), Emal said.
U.S. Ex-Im will provide $317 million, Hermes $220 million, and COFACE $200 million, the statement said. Each credit facility has a 14-year repayment period.
Emal expects the first phase of the project to produce 700,000 tonnes of aluminium per year (tpy) by the end of this year after starting up in January.
Emal would boost capacity to 1.4 million tpy with the second phase, which it expects to complete in 2013-2014.
The expansion also involves the construction of a power plant, with capacity to produce 2,000 megawatts for the first phase of the expansion.
Mubadala to invest in Malaysia’s $7bn smelter
The project will create more than 10,000 jobs during construction and another 2,000 specialist jobs
Mubadala Development Company, a major investment arm of Abu Dhabi’s government, is planning to set up a joint $7 billion aluminum smelter in Malaysia under an agreement signed on Friday.
Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality (MREH) and Mubadala Industry (MI) signed the deal with the government-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Mubadala said in a statement.
“MI has agreed to assess the viability of an investment of up to $7bn for the development of a major initiative in the aluminium sector based on hydro power in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score),” it said.
“The two state-owned companies are starting preliminary assessment work on the project, which will create more than 10,000 jobs during construction and another 2,000 specialist jobs.”
The statement said the deal involves the exploration of the potential joint development of key strategic projects within the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD), the 34.4 hectare development in Kuala Lumpur that is being led by 1MDB.
The full scope of MREH’s participation in projects to be located within the KLIFD will be finalized in 2011 following completion by 1MDB of the KLIFD master plan.
It said KLIFD would provide a state-of-the-art home for world-class institutions operating in Malaysia’s financial system, including major international banking and financial institutions, financial services, investment houses and regulators.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of the Government of Abu Dhabi and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Mubadala Development Company were present at the signing in Kuala Lumpur.
1MDB is a strategic development company wholly owned by the Government of Malaysia. It serves as a catalyst for long-term sustainable economic development, advocating innovation and high performance towards strengthening national competitiveness.
Mubadala Development Company, a major investment arm of Abu Dhabi’s government, is planning to set up a joint $7 billion aluminum smelter in Malaysia under an agreement signed on Friday.
Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality (MREH) and Mubadala Industry (MI) signed the deal with the government-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Mubadala said in a statement.
“MI has agreed to assess the viability of an investment of up to $7bn for the development of a major initiative in the aluminium sector based on hydro power in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score),” it said.
“The two state-owned companies are starting preliminary assessment work on the project, which will create more than 10,000 jobs during construction and another 2,000 specialist jobs.”
The statement said the deal involves the exploration of the potential joint development of key strategic projects within the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD), the 34.4 hectare development in Kuala Lumpur that is being led by 1MDB.
The full scope of MREH’s participation in projects to be located within the KLIFD will be finalized in 2011 following completion by 1MDB of the KLIFD master plan.
It said KLIFD would provide a state-of-the-art home for world-class institutions operating in Malaysia’s financial system, including major international banking and financial institutions, financial services, investment houses and regulators.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of the Government of Abu Dhabi and Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Mubadala Development Company were present at the signing in Kuala Lumpur.
1MDB is a strategic development company wholly owned by the Government of Malaysia. It serves as a catalyst for long-term sustainable economic development, advocating innovation and high performance towards strengthening national competitiveness.
Billions to be invested in two projects
By YVONNE TAN yvonne@thestar.com.my Oct 9, 2010
Sealing the deal: Najib and Khaldoon looking on as 1MDB chief executive officer Shahrol Halmi (right) exchanges the collaboration agreements with Mubadala Development chief operating officer Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi in Putrajaya yesterday.
PUTRAJAYA: Billions of ringgit in investments are in the pipeline from Abu Dhabi, and are set to flow into two major projects in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.
The emirate’s investment unit, Mubadala Development Co, is teaming up with the Government-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd to participate in property and aluminium ventures in the two areas.
At the signing of two agreements yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the first would pave the way for Mubadala’s involvement in the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD) real estate development, which is estimated to cost more than RM26bil.
In the second tie-up, Najib added, Mubadala, through Mubadala Industry, was looking to commit up to US$7bil (RM21.7bil) in long-term projects in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
“We are happy that 1MDB and Mubadala see each other as partners in driving strategic initiatives for the long-term sustainable economic development of their countries,” he said.
Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality (MREH) has agreed to work with 1MDB to explore the potential joint development of key strategic projects within the 34ha KLIFD, near Jalan Tun Razak.
“The full scope of MREH’s participation in the projects to be located within the KLIFD will be finalised in 2011, following completion by 1MDB of the KLFID master plan,” Mubadala and 1MDB said in a joint press statement.
KLIFD will provide a state-of-the-art home for important banking and financial entities.
It is meant to further cement Malaysia’s position as a leader in global Islamic finance.
“The KLIFD is critical in the development of a globally competitive financial sector that will promote economic growth, attract foreign direct investment and create jobs,” Najib said.
“We will invite, encourage and persuade the local and international financial community to work with us, not only in shaping Kuala Lumpur as a global financial centre but also to benefit from what the KLIFD has to offer.”
Najib said the potential investment in SCORE, which is for the development of a major initiative in the aluminium sector based on hydro power, was expected to generate spillover economic activities in multiple sectors and create more than 10,000 jobs during construction and 2,000 specialist jobs.
Specific details of these projects, all of which would be led by 1MDB, would be available in due course, he added.
Mubadala and 1MDB said they were starting preliminary assessment work on the SCORE project.
In his speech, Mubadala chief executive officer and managing director Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak said Abu Dhabi viewed Malaysia as an ideal investment platform linking the emirate to this region.
“The Abu Dhabi government is very optimistic about Malaysia’s prospects as an investment destination of choice,” said Khaldoon, who is also special envoy to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
At the same event, Najib, who is also chairman of the board of advisers of 1MDB, announced that 1MDB posted a net profit of RM425mil for its first financial year ended March 31.
Sealing the deal: Najib and Khaldoon looking on as 1MDB chief executive officer Shahrol Halmi (right) exchanges the collaboration agreements with Mubadala Development chief operating officer Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi in Putrajaya yesterday.
PUTRAJAYA: Billions of ringgit in investments are in the pipeline from Abu Dhabi, and are set to flow into two major projects in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.
The emirate’s investment unit, Mubadala Development Co, is teaming up with the Government-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd to participate in property and aluminium ventures in the two areas.
At the signing of two agreements yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the first would pave the way for Mubadala’s involvement in the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD) real estate development, which is estimated to cost more than RM26bil.
In the second tie-up, Najib added, Mubadala, through Mubadala Industry, was looking to commit up to US$7bil (RM21.7bil) in long-term projects in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
“We are happy that 1MDB and Mubadala see each other as partners in driving strategic initiatives for the long-term sustainable economic development of their countries,” he said.
Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality (MREH) has agreed to work with 1MDB to explore the potential joint development of key strategic projects within the 34ha KLIFD, near Jalan Tun Razak.
“The full scope of MREH’s participation in the projects to be located within the KLIFD will be finalised in 2011, following completion by 1MDB of the KLFID master plan,” Mubadala and 1MDB said in a joint press statement.
KLIFD will provide a state-of-the-art home for important banking and financial entities.
It is meant to further cement Malaysia’s position as a leader in global Islamic finance.
“The KLIFD is critical in the development of a globally competitive financial sector that will promote economic growth, attract foreign direct investment and create jobs,” Najib said.
“We will invite, encourage and persuade the local and international financial community to work with us, not only in shaping Kuala Lumpur as a global financial centre but also to benefit from what the KLIFD has to offer.”
Najib said the potential investment in SCORE, which is for the development of a major initiative in the aluminium sector based on hydro power, was expected to generate spillover economic activities in multiple sectors and create more than 10,000 jobs during construction and 2,000 specialist jobs.
Specific details of these projects, all of which would be led by 1MDB, would be available in due course, he added.
Mubadala and 1MDB said they were starting preliminary assessment work on the SCORE project.
In his speech, Mubadala chief executive officer and managing director Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak said Abu Dhabi viewed Malaysia as an ideal investment platform linking the emirate to this region.
“The Abu Dhabi government is very optimistic about Malaysia’s prospects as an investment destination of choice,” said Khaldoon, who is also special envoy to the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
At the same event, Najib, who is also chairman of the board of advisers of 1MDB, announced that 1MDB posted a net profit of RM425mil for its first financial year ended March 31.
Friday, October 1, 2010
奇点大学
奇点大学（Singularity University，简称SU ）奇点大学的名字源于该校的名誉校长、著名未来学家雷·库兹韦尔的“奇点理论”，即在不久后将迎来技术快速进步的时期。
库兹韦尔在其2005年所著的《奇点迫近》一书中，推广了这一理念：在“奇点”来临之时，机器将可通过人工智能进行自我完善，超过人类本身，开启一个新的时代。而一些批评者也对恶意的人工智能或将毁灭整个人类提出了质疑，但谷歌和美国宇航局的支持表明，越来越多的主流机构开始接受库兹韦尔的看法。
奇点大学-地理位置
该校位于硅谷的美国宇航局艾姆士研究中心，距谷歌、雅虎、因特尔和思科等公司仅一步之遥。
奇点大学-目标
“奇点大学”。它的宗旨是汇聚全球最优秀的年轻人才，采用跨学科教学方式，为应对人类面临的气候变化、能源、健康和贫困等重大挑战培养未来领军人物。
建设奇点大学的目标就是能使未来的科学家做好准备，从容应对科技的快速发展，使未来的机器免于伤害人类，继续作为人类的帮手。该校的学生将探索利用科技改善人类困境的途径，解决贫困、饥荒、疾病、全球变暖和能源稀缺等一系列严峻的问题。
奇点大学-组织机构
奇点大学
“奇点大学”由未来学家库日韦尔担任校长，校名和办学理念都借鉴了库日韦尔的“技术奇点”思想。库日韦尔在2005年出版的《奇点临近》一书中提出，随着纳米技术、生物技术和信息技术等以几何级数加速发展，人类的智能在未来几十年中将会大幅提高，人类未来命运也将发生根本性改观。他认为，只有融会贯通地运用高速发展的新技术，才能解决人类面临的能源、环境、医疗和贫困等问题。 科技企业家迪亚曼迪斯出任“奇点大学”的副校长。迪亚曼迪斯目前担任“X大奖基金会”的董事长，该基金会曾因设立高额奖金鼓励开发私人太空飞船等而闻名。迪亚曼迪斯说，“奇点大学”将在全球招收最聪明、最富激情的未来领袖，帮助他们掌握应对人类当前重大挑战的工具等。他指出，创业精神浓厚、风险资本和学术资源丰富的硅谷，是创立这样一所大学的理想之地。
奇点大学-特点
库兹韦尔在其2005年所著的《奇点迫近》一书中，推广了这一理念：在“奇点”来临之时，机器将可通过人工智能进行自我完善，超过人类本身，开启一个新的时代。而一些批评者也对恶意的人工智能或将毁灭整个人类提出了质疑，但谷歌和美国宇航局的支持表明，越来越多的主流机构开始接受库兹韦尔的看法。
奇点大学-地理位置
该校位于硅谷的美国宇航局艾姆士研究中心，距谷歌、雅虎、因特尔和思科等公司仅一步之遥。
奇点大学-目标
“奇点大学”。它的宗旨是汇聚全球最优秀的年轻人才，采用跨学科教学方式，为应对人类面临的气候变化、能源、健康和贫困等重大挑战培养未来领军人物。
建设奇点大学的目标就是能使未来的科学家做好准备，从容应对科技的快速发展，使未来的机器免于伤害人类，继续作为人类的帮手。该校的学生将探索利用科技改善人类困境的途径，解决贫困、饥荒、疾病、全球变暖和能源稀缺等一系列严峻的问题。
奇点大学-组织机构
奇点大学
“奇点大学”由未来学家库日韦尔担任校长，校名和办学理念都借鉴了库日韦尔的“技术奇点”思想。库日韦尔在2005年出版的《奇点临近》一书中提出，随着纳米技术、生物技术和信息技术等以几何级数加速发展，人类的智能在未来几十年中将会大幅提高，人类未来命运也将发生根本性改观。他认为，只有融会贯通地运用高速发展的新技术，才能解决人类面临的能源、环境、医疗和贫困等问题。 科技企业家迪亚曼迪斯出任“奇点大学”的副校长。迪亚曼迪斯目前担任“X大奖基金会”的董事长，该基金会曾因设立高额奖金鼓励开发私人太空飞船等而闻名。迪亚曼迪斯说，“奇点大学”将在全球招收最聪明、最富激情的未来领袖，帮助他们掌握应对人类当前重大挑战的工具等。他指出，创业精神浓厚、风险资本和学术资源丰富的硅谷，是创立这样一所大学的理想之地。
奇点大学-特点
招生与课程设置一览表
学校采用独特的9周教学制，虽然学制很短，但学费高达2.5万美元。在广泛征求诺贝尔奖得主等世界一流学者意见基础上，该校计划设立未来学、网络和计算机、生物技术和生物信息学、纳米技术、医学和神经科学、人工智能、能源、航天和自然科学、法律和伦理、金融等10个领域的课程。 学生入学后在前3周学习上述10类课程，接下来3周每人选择一门课程进行深入学习，最后3周将完成某一具体项目。除研究生水平的9周制课程外，该校还计划开设针对企业高管、为期3天或10天的短期培训项目，以帮助企业高管们了解所在行业的前沿技术，培养前瞻性思维。
“奇点大学”于2009年6月招收首批30名学生，明年计划将招生名额扩大到120名。
奇点大学-相关融资
谷歌已注资该校100多万美元，其他主要的公司也将陆续投入25万多美元以支持学校的建设与发展。
奇点大学-舆论反应
奇点大学由Google和NASA合办
应对未来科技的急速发展并非易事，作为奇点大学教员之一的技术预测家保罗·萨福表示，对于眼前一切的探索十分重要，这样人类就能避免措手不及。他说：“我们所面对的最大的挑战之一就是让公众对现今的发明可带来的后果有所了解，以及他们如何能掌控这一状况。”
2005年库兹韦尔的“奇点论”就引起了轩然大波，舆论、业界纷争四起。如今，奇点大学带着自己的理念“降临人间”，再一次将“奇点”理论和解决之道推到了舆论的风口浪尖上。当Google和NASA宣布将联合建立奇点大学时，这一消息便瞬间被200多家网站转载。随后，Google、NASA“科技毁灭人类”等重量级的字眼频繁出现在网络中，一时间成了舆论津津乐道的话题。 相比较舆论热潮的侵袭，业内的人士却以谨慎的态度质疑着“奇点”理论和奇点大学存在的价值。 一位权威人士在了解了奇点大学的目标和所设立的课程后，表示这一想法和课程设计听起来很棒，“但是，我还是想知道奇点大学的创始人是否真的相信能够通过这些技术来解决贫穷、饥饿和疾病等问题。” 另一些业内人士做出了更加直接的论断：“相比较奇点大学的方法，让这些学生学习哲学、神学、政治学、社会学、历史等领域的学科对于解决社会问题将更加有效。” 这些持怀疑态度的人士普遍在奇点大学的教育方式与其将实现的目标间画上问号，而另一部分人对于奇点大学的建立则采取了更加消极与否定的态度。 《IEEE智能系统》被公认为是国际上人工智能的核心杂志，而它的编委会里几位权威的教授甚至不愿意发表对“奇点”的任何观点。 一位参加了两次“奇点峰会”的人士也表示：“我不会去写任何关于奇点的事情，因为我看不到它的任何价值。” 美国一些专业的信息技术分析人士称：如果奇点大学能够取得那些创始人所想的成就，那当然太好了。但是“奇点峰会”的报告，将科学与科幻搞乱，而奇点大学的结局只能是一场更长、更吃力的“奇点峰会”，绝不会为我们指出未来之道。 一边是舆论的热脸，一边是业内的冷视，奇点大学一出世就成了业界内外的焦点。虽然质疑批评之声不断，但是人们还是看到了奇点大学的雄心，也看到了业界内外对这一新尝试抱有的希望和期待。或者说，无论“奇点”的理念与抱负最终能否实现，奇点大学并没有也不能够被全盘否定，它毕竟为科学的发展注入了新的活力，带来了新的理想，同时也为人们带来了重要的警示与启发。
计算机模拟人类大脑
据美国连线杂志网站8月1 6日报道 人工智能专家、畅销书《奇点迫近》作者雷 库日韦尔说，通过逆向工程让我们得以用计算机模拟人类大脑，可能20年后就能实现。
库日韦尔说，这将是通往创造比人脑更强大的计算机的第一步。这些超级计算机将与一个云计算结构联网，扩展它们的处理能力。同时这些计算机的算法也可能变得更智能。所有这些合在一起就可能创造出终极计算机，帮助我们应对未来的挑战。
计算机超越人类智慧的情况叫作“奇点”，一个通过库日韦尔的书变得更加流行的术语。
库日韦尔对周末举行的奇点峰会与会者说：“对奇点最突出的批评是大脑太复杂、太神奇，它的某些特性是我们无法仿效的。但科技的指数级进步正运用于大脑逆向工程，这堪称历史最重要的项目。”
近十年来，神经科学家、计算机工程师和心理学家一直致力于模拟人脑，以最终创造基于大脑运转方式的计算机。
库日韦尔说，人类听和说某些方面的逆向工程推动了人工听力和语音识别的发展。他说，能够对人脑做同样的事，可能会大大改变我们的世界。
人类大脑逆向工程的关键在于解码和模拟大脑皮层———认知形成的地方。人类大脑皮层约有220亿个神经细胞和220万亿个神经键。
IBM研究人员达尔门德拉 莫达说，有能力运行人脑模拟软件的超级计算机尚未问世。研究人员需要一台计算机至少达到36.8千万亿次(相当于每秒1000万亿次计算)运算能力和3.2千万亿字节存储容量———超级计算机技术至少还需三年才能达到的规模。
莫达在IBM公司阿尔马登研究中心负责认知计算项目。
库日韦尔说：“人们正以不同方式从事大脑逆向工程研究。其目标未必是创建伟大的模拟———真正的目标是弄清大脑运转的原理。”
索尔克生物研究所计算机神经生物学实验室负责人特里 谢伊诺夫斯基也认为，人脑逆向工程已经在可及范围之内。
库日韦尔说，这将是通往创造比人脑更强大的计算机的第一步。这些超级计算机将与一个云计算结构联网，扩展它们的处理能力。同时这些计算机的算法也可能变得更智能。所有这些合在一起就可能创造出终极计算机，帮助我们应对未来的挑战。
计算机超越人类智慧的情况叫作“奇点”，一个通过库日韦尔的书变得更加流行的术语。
库日韦尔对周末举行的奇点峰会与会者说：“对奇点最突出的批评是大脑太复杂、太神奇，它的某些特性是我们无法仿效的。但科技的指数级进步正运用于大脑逆向工程，这堪称历史最重要的项目。”
近十年来，神经科学家、计算机工程师和心理学家一直致力于模拟人脑，以最终创造基于大脑运转方式的计算机。
库日韦尔说，人类听和说某些方面的逆向工程推动了人工听力和语音识别的发展。他说，能够对人脑做同样的事，可能会大大改变我们的世界。
人类大脑逆向工程的关键在于解码和模拟大脑皮层———认知形成的地方。人类大脑皮层约有220亿个神经细胞和220万亿个神经键。
IBM研究人员达尔门德拉 莫达说，有能力运行人脑模拟软件的超级计算机尚未问世。研究人员需要一台计算机至少达到36.8千万亿次(相当于每秒1000万亿次计算)运算能力和3.2千万亿字节存储容量———超级计算机技术至少还需三年才能达到的规模。
莫达在IBM公司阿尔马登研究中心负责认知计算项目。
库日韦尔说：“人们正以不同方式从事大脑逆向工程研究。其目标未必是创建伟大的模拟———真正的目标是弄清大脑运转的原理。”
索尔克生物研究所计算机神经生物学实验室负责人特里 谢伊诺夫斯基也认为，人脑逆向工程已经在可及范围之内。
第四次浪潮：人机合一
美国未来学家、发明家雷•库日韦尔近日预言,2029年人工智能将达到人类智力的水平。 比尔•盖茨也在近日宣称：10年之内，人与计算机的交流将不再通过键盘，而是直接使用语言，甚至意念。而“网络操作系统”也将把全世界的电脑连接成一个“超级大脑”。这幅图景，与库日韦尔的预言多么相近！
芯片植入大脑，人类由此获得电脑般的计算能力和记忆力；计算机无处不在，被植入家具、衣服、眼镜乃至我们的身体中，从而使各种物什都变得“智能化”；比细菌还小的纳米机器人在我们的血管内工作，甚至会进入我们的大脑……这一切听起来只像是科幻小说的情节，即便不是天方夜谭，似乎也不知道能不能真正发生在遥远的未来。然而，这些却的确并非引自科幻小说，而是出自美国未来学家、发明家雷•库日韦尔（Ray Kurzweil）近日所作的预言，库日韦尔称，这一切并不遥远，在二十年后的2029年就会在我们身边实现。
库日韦尔认为，人工智能技术的发展已经可以为我们描绘出一幅不远的将来的人类生活发生巨大变化的蓝图：纳米智能机器人将从毛细血管不知不觉地进入我们的身体，为我们清理体内垃圾、治疗疾病；而另有一种纳米机器人则能够进入我们的大脑，与脑神经元直接发生交互作用，不仅会让我们更加聪明、记忆力惊人，还可以使我们具有用“意念”控制植入了芯片的机器的能力，甚至还可以不用语言而与他人实现“心与心的沟通”。电脑的显示器将完全失去意义，每个人的“脑海”中将自然有一个“显示器”。当你想放松一下的时候，则可以自然进入一个完全虚拟现实的梦幻世界，参与真正“身临其境”的超级电子游戏。与此同时，机器人的发展也将大大超乎我们的想象，二十年后，机器人将具有同人类一样的思想，甚至情感。人与机器将不再界限分明，人类文明进入人机合一的新时代。
与库日韦尔不谋而合的是，比尔•盖茨也在近日宣称：10年之内，人与计算机的交流将不再通过键盘，而是直接使用语言，甚至意念。而“网络操作系统”也将把全世界的电脑连接成一个“超级大脑”。这幅图景，与库日韦尔的预言多么相近！
库日韦尔预言的图景对人类生活的改变是如此之大，又是如此近在眼前，以至于看到这条消息，无法不令人立刻产生出诸如“机器人进攻人类”、“机器与人产生感情的伦理问题”之类的担忧。于是出现了有如赫胥黎反乌托邦名著《美丽的新世界》般的忧虑：美丽的表象背后，是否反而有更大的隐忧？不过且慢，在进行伦理追问之前，我们还应该进行一个先行检验：未来是否真的会——或者说多大程度上应验库日韦尔的预言？
作为世界上第一台光信号文字识别阅读机的发明人、美国国家技术奖获得者，库日韦尔的预言当然不是无根之木。然而，世界科技发展的真实历史却告诉我们：技术的真实发展趋势，往往与人们预见的可能性有着相当大的距离，而更深刻的道理则蕴含在这距离之中。
19世纪70年代，正是城市布满高耸云霄的大烟囱、冒着长烟的火车头呼啸驶过旷野的蒸汽动力时代，与此同时，以电报为代表的电子技术也刚刚开始勃兴。在有案可查的当时的报纸上，科学家对未来的预测是以电为动力的“电马”将取代马匹，拖着马车走在20世纪城市的街道上，而天空中则会飞行着冒着长烟的蒸汽飞机……
从今天的角度看，电马和蒸汽飞机近似于笑话，但在当时却实实在在是具有技术实现可能的“未来”。事实上，法国工程师阿代尔曾经于1890年制造出蒸汽飞机并试飞成功，比公认的飞机鼻祖莱特兄弟早了13年，至今法国人还认为阿代尔才是飞机的发明人。但为什么飞机后来发展的实际技术路线却没有采用蒸汽动力呢？原因在于，飞得起来是一回事，真正有用则是另外一回事。对于商业应用而言，蒸汽动力的飞机难以解决携带大量燃煤的问题，同时不容易获得比较高的速度。电马虽然没有人真正发明过，但对于习惯了“马拉车”的人们来说，却是一个远比未曾梦见的汽车更“自然而然”的设想，但显然，与汽车相比，电马需要先把发动机的活塞运动转化为马腿走路的运动形式，才能前进，比起汽车轮子来，能量利用效率太低了！
归结起来，一项技术要从可能性变成实际可利用，要求是非常苛刻的，必须能够比较简单、低成本地发挥出明显功效，才具有实际利用的可能性。而“技术可实现”这个范围却比实际可利用大得多，但是实现了，只有真正可用，才会进入到人类的生活中。套用《安娜•卡列尼娜》的名言，我们可以说：有用的技术都具有相似的性质，没用的技术各有各的无用之处。
反过来看库日韦尔预言的前景，基本上建立在人们愿意接受在大脑或者日用品里装上计算机硬件的前提之上。问题是：有多少人愿意承受这样做的生理、心理感受及其高昂的价格？
有“未来学之父”之称的阿尔文•托夫勒在其名著《第三次浪潮》中，把人类文明发生跳跃式进步的原因归结为三次浪潮：第一次是农业文明的出现，使“人”脱离于兽，建筑、文字、城市等等文明生活方式得以出现并推广；第二次是工业文明使人类进入现代化；第三次是计算机和信息技术的发展，把人类文明带入信息时代。但从中可以看出的是，技术对人类生活的改变虽然巨大，改变方式却不是跳跃式的，而是“潜移默化”的，也就是说，技术是因为给人类提供了原有生活方式的某种方便而被采用，再反过来影响人类生活的，而不是因为技术可以做到一件事，就强行改变了人类生活的方式。
可以预见，如果出现“第四次浪潮”的话，人工智能将是技术的核心突破所在。但是，人工智能的应用形式，一定是以为人类带来便利的方式，而非强行扭转人类原来生活轨迹的方式出现。（胡应斗 科技网络公司顾问）
芯片植入大脑，人类由此获得电脑般的计算能力和记忆力；计算机无处不在，被植入家具、衣服、眼镜乃至我们的身体中，从而使各种物什都变得“智能化”；比细菌还小的纳米机器人在我们的血管内工作，甚至会进入我们的大脑……这一切听起来只像是科幻小说的情节，即便不是天方夜谭，似乎也不知道能不能真正发生在遥远的未来。然而，这些却的确并非引自科幻小说，而是出自美国未来学家、发明家雷•库日韦尔（Ray Kurzweil）近日所作的预言，库日韦尔称，这一切并不遥远，在二十年后的2029年就会在我们身边实现。
库日韦尔认为，人工智能技术的发展已经可以为我们描绘出一幅不远的将来的人类生活发生巨大变化的蓝图：纳米智能机器人将从毛细血管不知不觉地进入我们的身体，为我们清理体内垃圾、治疗疾病；而另有一种纳米机器人则能够进入我们的大脑，与脑神经元直接发生交互作用，不仅会让我们更加聪明、记忆力惊人，还可以使我们具有用“意念”控制植入了芯片的机器的能力，甚至还可以不用语言而与他人实现“心与心的沟通”。电脑的显示器将完全失去意义，每个人的“脑海”中将自然有一个“显示器”。当你想放松一下的时候，则可以自然进入一个完全虚拟现实的梦幻世界，参与真正“身临其境”的超级电子游戏。与此同时，机器人的发展也将大大超乎我们的想象，二十年后，机器人将具有同人类一样的思想，甚至情感。人与机器将不再界限分明，人类文明进入人机合一的新时代。
与库日韦尔不谋而合的是，比尔•盖茨也在近日宣称：10年之内，人与计算机的交流将不再通过键盘，而是直接使用语言，甚至意念。而“网络操作系统”也将把全世界的电脑连接成一个“超级大脑”。这幅图景，与库日韦尔的预言多么相近！
库日韦尔预言的图景对人类生活的改变是如此之大，又是如此近在眼前，以至于看到这条消息，无法不令人立刻产生出诸如“机器人进攻人类”、“机器与人产生感情的伦理问题”之类的担忧。于是出现了有如赫胥黎反乌托邦名著《美丽的新世界》般的忧虑：美丽的表象背后，是否反而有更大的隐忧？不过且慢，在进行伦理追问之前，我们还应该进行一个先行检验：未来是否真的会——或者说多大程度上应验库日韦尔的预言？
作为世界上第一台光信号文字识别阅读机的发明人、美国国家技术奖获得者，库日韦尔的预言当然不是无根之木。然而，世界科技发展的真实历史却告诉我们：技术的真实发展趋势，往往与人们预见的可能性有着相当大的距离，而更深刻的道理则蕴含在这距离之中。
19世纪70年代，正是城市布满高耸云霄的大烟囱、冒着长烟的火车头呼啸驶过旷野的蒸汽动力时代，与此同时，以电报为代表的电子技术也刚刚开始勃兴。在有案可查的当时的报纸上，科学家对未来的预测是以电为动力的“电马”将取代马匹，拖着马车走在20世纪城市的街道上，而天空中则会飞行着冒着长烟的蒸汽飞机……
从今天的角度看，电马和蒸汽飞机近似于笑话，但在当时却实实在在是具有技术实现可能的“未来”。事实上，法国工程师阿代尔曾经于1890年制造出蒸汽飞机并试飞成功，比公认的飞机鼻祖莱特兄弟早了13年，至今法国人还认为阿代尔才是飞机的发明人。但为什么飞机后来发展的实际技术路线却没有采用蒸汽动力呢？原因在于，飞得起来是一回事，真正有用则是另外一回事。对于商业应用而言，蒸汽动力的飞机难以解决携带大量燃煤的问题，同时不容易获得比较高的速度。电马虽然没有人真正发明过，但对于习惯了“马拉车”的人们来说，却是一个远比未曾梦见的汽车更“自然而然”的设想，但显然，与汽车相比，电马需要先把发动机的活塞运动转化为马腿走路的运动形式，才能前进，比起汽车轮子来，能量利用效率太低了！
归结起来，一项技术要从可能性变成实际可利用，要求是非常苛刻的，必须能够比较简单、低成本地发挥出明显功效，才具有实际利用的可能性。而“技术可实现”这个范围却比实际可利用大得多，但是实现了，只有真正可用，才会进入到人类的生活中。套用《安娜•卡列尼娜》的名言，我们可以说：有用的技术都具有相似的性质，没用的技术各有各的无用之处。
反过来看库日韦尔预言的前景，基本上建立在人们愿意接受在大脑或者日用品里装上计算机硬件的前提之上。问题是：有多少人愿意承受这样做的生理、心理感受及其高昂的价格？
有“未来学之父”之称的阿尔文•托夫勒在其名著《第三次浪潮》中，把人类文明发生跳跃式进步的原因归结为三次浪潮：第一次是农业文明的出现，使“人”脱离于兽，建筑、文字、城市等等文明生活方式得以出现并推广；第二次是工业文明使人类进入现代化；第三次是计算机和信息技术的发展，把人类文明带入信息时代。但从中可以看出的是，技术对人类生活的改变虽然巨大，改变方式却不是跳跃式的，而是“潜移默化”的，也就是说，技术是因为给人类提供了原有生活方式的某种方便而被采用，再反过来影响人类生活的，而不是因为技术可以做到一件事，就强行改变了人类生活的方式。
可以预见，如果出现“第四次浪潮”的话，人工智能将是技术的核心突破所在。但是，人工智能的应用形式，一定是以为人类带来便利的方式，而非强行扭转人类原来生活轨迹的方式出现。（胡应斗 科技网络公司顾问）
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