ADB and Indonesia Partners Sign Landmark MOU on Early Retirement Plan for First Coal Power Plant Under Energy Transition Mechanism

BALI, INDONESIA (14 November 2022) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today joined with key partners in Indonesia to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly explore the early retirement of the first coal-fired power plant owned by an independent power producer (IPP) under ADB’s Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM).

The signing, which took place on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Bali, was attended by ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa, Cirebon Electric Power (CEP) President Director Hisahiro Takeuchi, PT PLN (Persero) President Director Darmawan Prasodjo, and Indonesian Investment Authority (INA) CEO Ridha D. M. Wirakusumah.

The MOU agrees to open detailed discussions to accelerate the retirement of Cirebon-1, a 660-megawatt plant owned by CEP in West Java.

The planned transaction aims to achieve significant carbon dioxide emission reductions through a replicable model that can be applied to other IPPs in Indonesia, other parts of Asia and the Pacific, and beyond. Once a definitive agreement is reached among the parties, it is anticipated that ADB would provide an early retirement facility in the form of senior debt, on the condition that the tenor of the power purchase agreement between CEP and PLN will be shortened.

“This MOU with our trusted partners in Indonesia is a landmark moment for ADB’s Energy Transition Mechanism and the clean energy transition it will advance,” said Mr. Asakawa. “As Asia and the Pacific’s climate bank, ADB is proud to be showing the viability of this approach, supported by the outstanding leadership of Indonesia. We encourage other financial stakeholders to engage in the just and affordable energy transition here and across Asia and the Pacific."

"ETM provides an innovative approach for companies like CEP to make the transition from coal to clean energy while providing reliable and affordable power for Indonesia’s energy infrastructure," said Mr. Takeuchi. “This MOU is a big step forward for Indonesia and we are proud to be working with the Asian Development Bank and Indonesian Investment Authority.”

"PLN is committed to being a leader in Indonesia’s energy transition toward net zero emissions in a just and affordable manner," said Mr. Prasodjo. "PLN’s commitment to clean energy and working through the ETM with IPPs, such as CEP, can significantly accelerate the energy transition."

“INA’s role is to help attain Indonesia’s sustainable development and to build wealth for the country’s future generations,” said Mr. Wirakusumah. “The ability of INA to complement the other partners with equity can complete the suite of financial tools that can help to scale up ETM activities in Indonesia.”

ETM is a regional, transformative, blended-finance program that seeks to retire existing coal-fired power plants on an accelerated schedule and replace them with clean power capacity. ETM is one component of a larger set of initiatives both domestic and multilateral, that aims to help Asia and the Pacific mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, such as extreme sea level rise and destructive weather events.

The MOU was signed at an event in which Indonesia launched its ETM Country Platform, a government financing and investment framework that will fund and manage the country’s energy transition activities. ADB signed an additional MOU with PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (“PT SMI”) to provide support, including staff resources and capacity building for the platform.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: ADB

BLACK EYED PEAS PRESENT MEGA-ANTICIPATED NINTH FULL-LENGTH ALBUM, ELEVATION, TODAY!

FEATURES A-LIST GUESTS ANITTA, EL ALFA, ANUEL AA, MARSHALL JEFFERSON, NICKY JAM, NICOLE SCHERZINGER, SHAKIRA, DAVID GUETTA, OZUNA, & MORE

(November 11th, 2022 – Los Angeles, CA) – Today, multi-platinum and six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning, genre-bending pioneers Black Eyed Peas proudly present their anxiously awaited ninth full-length album, ELEVATION, out now. Listen to ELEVATION HERE.

The 15-track juggernaut kaleidoscopically spins together hip-hop, Latin, R&B, electronic, trap, and more into a larger-than-life vision of what pop can be in the 21st century without boundaries or borders. From the jump, uncontainable energy surges through this bold body of work.

 

“MUEVELO” [feat. Anuel AA & Marshall Jefferson] glides along on bright keys and big handclaps offset by robotic transmissions, a command to “Move your body,” and a promise “We stay lit forever.”  Elsewhere, “Dance 4 U” hinges on a slick bass line and punchy groove. The sample on “Jump” predicts the reaction perfectly, “Somebody said when you play this song all the girls will go loca.” The kinetic stomp of “Firestarter” leaves flames in the wake of its incendiary vocals. The group shine brighter than ever.

Check out the full tracklisting below. 

 

Black Eyed Peas teased out ELEVATION with “SIMPLY THE BEST” [with Brazilian global pop superstar Anitta & El Alfa]. It has already generated over 2.9 million Spotify streams and 18 million YouTube views on the music video. Earning critical acclaim, mxdwn asserted, “‘Simply The Best’ acts as clear proof to fans that Black Eyed Peas remain just as capable of creating fun and energizing party tracks as they have been since their 1995 formation,” and That Grape Juice fittingly summed it up as “a global affair.”

 

Right out of the gate, “SIMPLY THE BEST” rides luminous dancefloor-ready keys towards a chantable chorus, “No it don’t get better than, better than this.” Black Eyed Peas, Anitta, and El Alfa trade verses back and forth, unlocking undeniable and unbreakable chemistry. At the same time, Anitta infuses the track with Brazilian swagger, El Alfa turns up with Dominican Republic flavor, and Black Eyed Peas exude laidback Los Angeles confidence in between these global rhythms. The visual continues a tradition of larger-than-life videos for the group as well. Once again, they pull out all the stops.

 

ELEVATION finds Black Eyed Peas expanding the collective musical consciousness and pushing boundaries yet again (like only they can). Of course, they bring a few friends along for this rollercoaster ride. The group link up with Daddy Yankee on the reggaeton banger “BAILAR CONTIGO,” while Nicky Jam ignites the funkified “GET DOWN” with fresh fire. Then, there’s “FILIPINA QUEEN” where they team up with J. Rey Soul and deliver an inimitable and irresistible bop. Nicole Scherzinger lends her powerhouse pipes to “NO ONE LOVES ME,” and Black Eyed Peas and Ozuna close out the album together on the universally-resounding “L.O.V.E.”

 

They initially teased ELEVATION with the international smash “DON’T YOU WORRY” [with Shakira & David Guetta]. It has already gathered more than 111 million Spotify streams and 113 million YouTube views on the music video. Meanwhile, it catapulted into the Top 40 at AC, in the Top 30 of the iTunes Top Pop Songs Chart, and Top 50 of the Shazam U.S. Top 200. Beyond recent acclaim from Billboard, NME, and more, the group also recently performed on ABC network’s Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series in Central Park.

 

It is ELEVATION season for Black Eyed Peas. Join them on the next level!

 

TRACKLISTING

01. SIMPLY THE BEST (feat. Anitta & El Alfa)  

02. MUEVELO (feat. Anuel AA & Marshall Jefferson)

03. AUDIOS 

04. DOUBLE D’Z (feat. J. Rey Soul) 

05. BAILAR CONTIGO (feat. Daddy Yankee)

06. GET DOWN (feat. Nicky Jam) 

07. DANCE 4 U

08. GUARANTEE

09. FILIPINA QUEEN (feat. J. Rey Soul)

10. JUMP

11. IN THE AIR

12. FIRE STARTER

13. NO ONE LOVES ME (feat. Nicole Scherzinger)

14. DON’T YOU WORRY (feat. Shakira & David Guetta)

15. L.O.V.E. (feat. Ozuna) 

 

ABOUT BLACK EYED PEAS:

 

Black Eyed Peas continue to fulfill a master plan to push the game forward devised way back in 1995. They execute each stage of this plan with focus and intent, allowing their evolution to play out in real-time over a series of game-changing albums, beginning with Behind The Front [1998] through Bridging The Gap [2000], Elephunk [2003], Monkey Business [2005], The E.N.D. [2009], The Beginning[2010], Masters of the Sun, Vol. 1 [2018], and, most recently TRANSLATION[2020]. Along the way, co-founders will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap, and Taboo have set music industry records that will probably never be exceeded, moved north of 35 million albums and 120 million singles, gathered six GRAMMY® Awards, and headlined the Super Bowl, the World Cup, and F1 races. The multi-platinum group launched the comeback of the decade after eight years of dormancy. The future matters the most to these trailblazers, which brings us to their 2022 blockbuster ninth full-length, Elevation [Epic Records]. The 15-track opus represents another logical step and the dawn of a new phase, boasting the smash “DON’T YOU WORRY” [feat. Shakira & David Guetta] and collabs with Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam, Anuel AA, Ozuna, Nicole Scherzinger, and more.

About the record, will.i.am comments, “We were behind the front, then we bridged the gap. We rode an elephant’s back to realize the industry was full of monkey business. That was the end, but the end is new beginnings. Becoming masters of the sun, mastering the industry, we realized we had to have translation in this complex world. But we be falling up, and never falling down. Black Eyed Peas is known for elevation. This is the next stage for us, reaching higher.”

# # #


Follow Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am, Taboo, Apl.de.Ap:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackeyedpeas/
Instagram: @BEP
Twitter: @BEP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/william/
Instagram: @iamwill
Twitter: @iamwill

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTaboo/
Instagram: @TabooNawasha
Twitter: @TabBep

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apldeap/
Instagram: @Apl.de.ap

Source: Sony Music Philippines

KYGO RELEASES NEW ALBUMTHRILL OF THE CHASE

(Los Angeles, CA – November 11, 2022) – Today, global superstar, producer, and DJ Kygo shares his brand-new album, Thrill Of The Chase, out now via RCA Records.

 

The acclaimed artist’s first full-length body of work since his 2020 release Golden Hour, Thrill Of The Chase is a collection of songs that trace Kygo’s career over the past few years, showcasing his signature lush, piano-driven production while highlighting his penchant for genre experimentation. 

 

Across the 14-track album – which features collaborations with X Ambassadors, DNCE, Lukas Graham, Sam Feldt, Plested, Dean Lewis, and more – Thrill Of The Chase runs the gamut of vibrant, disco and house-infused singles like “Dancing Feet” and “Fever” to the soulful and melodic “Lost Without You” and “Freeze.”

 

“‘Thrill Of The Chase’ is a collection of songs I worked on over the last two years that started during Covid and ended with sessions in Los Angeles,” says Kygo of the release. “I've had the chance to play or tease the unreleased music throughout the year at shows and the feedback was unbelievable. A few of the songs on ‘Thrill Of The Chase’ are different from anything I've ever made in the past and I'm really excited for everyone to finally hear the album in its entirety."

 

Recently coming off headlining performances at Life Is Beautiful, Lollapalooza, BottleRock, and a sold-out show at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, last month Kygo teased several tracks off Thrill Of The Chase to fans during his headlining show at Madison Square Garden in New York. Later this year, Kygo will be hitting the road to tour across South America, with select dates in Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, and more. 

 

Full tracklist for Thrill Of The Chase is below, listen to the album here. 

 

Thrill Of The Chase Tracklist
1. Gone Are The Days (feat. James Gillespie)
2. Love Me Now (feat. Zoe Wees)
3. Lonely Together (feat. Dagny)
4. Undeniable (feat. X Ambassadors)
5. Thrill Of The Chase
6. Dancing Feet (feat. DNCE)
7. Fever (feat. Lukas Graham)
8. Woke Up In Love (with Gryffin feat. Calum Scott)
9. How Many Tears (with Sam Feldt feat. Emily Warren)
10. Never Really Loved Me (feat. Dean Lewis)
11. The Way We Were (feat. Plested)
12. Lost Without You (feat. Dean Lewis)
13. All For Love
14. Freeze

 

About Kygo

Whether behind the piano in his studio or headlining a sold-out festival, Kygo quietly reaffirms his status as a prodigious talent, forward-thinking producer, dynamic DJ, and influential global superstar. The Norwegian musician born Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll first introduced himself in 2013 and quietly became one of the most ubiquitous hitmakers in the world. Amassing 23 billion cumulative global audio and video streams by 2022, he has broken numerous streaming records. Kygo earned one of his biggest hits with the multiplatinum “It Ain’t Me” (feat. Selena Gomez), going Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and clocking over 2.9 billion streams worldwide. In 2019, Kygo unleashed “Higher Love” with Whitney Houston and generated another 1.4 billion combined streams/views worldwide and peaked at #1 on Dance Radio in addition to leaving his imprint on a classic. He heralded his 2020 critically acclaimed third full-length album Golden Hour [Sony Music International/Ultra Records/RCA Records] with the anthems “Like It Is” (feat. Zara Larsson & Tyga), “Lose Somebody” (with OneRepublic), and “I’ll Wait” (feat. Sasha Alex Sloan). The album has garnered over 2.5 billion streams worldwide. Following Golden Hour, Kygo released his remix of Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” to rave reviews.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

ADB Invests in Onemed IPO to Support National Health Care and Affordable Local Medical Supplies in Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (8 November 2022)—The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has subscribed to around 1 billion shares, worth $12.2 million (approximately 190 billion Indonesian rupiah), as part of the initial public offering (IPO) of PT Jayamas Medica Industri (OneMed) on the Indonesian Stock Exchange.

The proceeds of the IPO will support operational expansion across OneMed’s value chain by doubling the manufacturing facilities from two to four, the number of national distribution centers from one to two, adding 15 warehouses, and 25 new retail stores. The availability of affordable medical equipment and supplies is critical for the sustainability and expansion of Indonesia’s national health insurance program, Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional.

“Developing domestic production is a pivotal step toward self-sufficiency for health care in Indonesia,” said ADB Private Sector Operations Department's Unit Head of Health and Education Investments Aniruddha Patil. “Supporting OneMed’s strong local presence in Indonesia will help strengthen Indonesia’s health care resilience and deliver better health outcomes for its citizens.”

“We greatly appreciate ADB’s support for our IPO and I look forward to working with the bank,” said OneMed President Commissioner Jemmy Hartanto. “The investment will help sustain OneMed’s commitment to support universal health care in Indonesia and to improve the overall level of health care in the country.”

Established in 2002, OneMed is the largest manufacturing and distribution company of medical equipment and supplies in Indonesia, covering 514 cities and 34 provinces. OneMed has the most comprehensive portfolio of medical equipment and supplies in the country, with key products including syringes, medical gloves, antiseptics and disinfectants, and infusion sets.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: ADB

ASEAN India Music Festival to mark triumphant return to Purana Qila, New Delhi this year

The cross-cultural music festival aims to showcase the vast richness of India and Southeast Asian countries’ musical and cultural heritage

ASEAN India Music Festival (AIMF) returns with a more vibrant celebration this year as it fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the music and artistic traditions as well as promotes cultural exchange between the Southeast Asian region and India.

 

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India in collaboration with SEHER is organizing the ASEAN-India Music Festival from the 18th to 20th November at Purana Qila, New Delhi. The free event boasts an eclectic lineup that presents the richness of each country’s musical heritage, as well as its shared cultural affinity.

The second edition of the festival will showcase 10 multi-genre contemporary music acts from Southeast Asia, including Empty Wallet from Brunei Darussalam, RizerXSuffer from Cambodia, Riau Rhythm from Indonesia, Lao Traditional Music Troupe from Lao-PDR, Instamuzika from Malaysia, MRTV Modern Music band from Myanmar, Bayang Barrios at Ang Nilayagan from the Philippines, Linying Band from Singapore, Makaohang from Thailand, and Tri Minh’s Quartet from Vietnam.

Five of India’s homegrown acts, Faridkot and Amar Jalal, Jonita Gandhi, Papon, Raghav Meattle, and Vishal and Sheykhar are also set to perform in one of the oldest forts in the union territory. The lineup was curated by SEHER, India’s premier cultural organization that works closely with the Gov’t of India in public diplomacy and promotion of cultural interaction between India and other countries.

The ASEAN acts are recommended by their respective Ministry of Culture and SOMCA, while the Indian artists are carefully selected to complement the diverse artistic backgrounds of their counterparts in the Southeast Asian region.

With its utmost goal of increasing appreciation and awareness of the ASEAN identity amongst creative intellectuals and the public at large, the cross-cultural festival has prepared multiple concerts apart from the main event at Purana Qila.

A special music showcase is slated to take place in Shillong, Meghalaya in Northeast India, on November 22, which is considered to be a gateway to ASEAN and serves as a representation of the ‘Act East’ policy.

"India has been looking up to the west for historical reasons, but thanks to our Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi we are now looking Eastwards through the Act East policy," Mr. Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder Director of SEHER, shares in a statement. "Now that we are organizing the ASEAN India Music Festival, the audience and especially the youth of India will get to see musical traditions and bands from the ASEAN region, which are rarely seen in this part of the world."

After its well-received inaugural edition in 2017, AIMF promises to cultivate a sustained cultural exchange and interaction between ASEAN and India, while championing its unique adoption of traditional and modern music influences and become recognized as the “gateway to ASEAN.”

"We are expecting more traditional instrumentation and how each country is contemporizing its music to fit current trends and the global stage," Bhargava adds. "More important is that they will be playing on the same platform as some of India’s most popular music artists."

For more information about the ASEAN India Music Festival, visit the official website.

Source: Nyou

ADB, GreenCell Sign $40 Million Financing for Safer E-Buses in India, Especially for Women Commuters

NEW DELHI, INDIA (7 November 2022) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $40 million financing package with GreenCell Express Private Limited (GEPL) to develop 255 electric battery-powered buses (e-buses) to serve 5 million people a year on 56 intercity routes in India and enhance the safety of passengers, especially women, through improved security features including panic buttons connected to command controls for immediate response.

The financial package comprises $20.5 million loan (in equivalent Indian rupee) from ADB’s ordinary capital resources, ADB’s administration of a $14 million loan from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), grants worth $325,000 from the CTF and $5.2 million from Goldman Sach’s and Bloomberg’s the Climate Innovation and Development Fund (CIDF). ADB also assisted in mobilizing an additional parallel loan of $20.5 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

A defining feature of this project is the CIDF grant which will partially finance the decarbonization of 100 of the 255 e-buses by deploying solar power-plus-battery energy storage systems, resulting in the reduction of about 6,355 tons of carbon dioxide a year. Overall, the project will reduce emissions by 14,780 tons a year.

“Decarbonization of public transport in India is essential for the country to reach its net-zero climate commitments, and it’s important to ensure safety and security of women passengers to make travel more inclusive,” said ADB Private Sector Operations Department Director General Suzanne Gaboury. “By providing safe transport for women, these intercity buses will enhance their ability to participate in economic and livelihood opportunities,”

India’s public transport needs are expected to grow rapidly as the country urbanizes. In 2020, road transport accounted for 87% of all passenger trips, 18% of total energy consumption, and 11.7% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Safety features at project bus depots and e-buses will include cameras, panic buttons, adequate depot lighting, seating arrangements, tracking, and awareness-raising materials. Training programs will be held for bus drivers and cabin hosts on safety protocols focused on women passengers. GEPL is also implementing a diversity and inclusion roadmap to initiate a program to build a stronger pool of women in leadership and technical roles.

This project has qualified for a 2x gender financing rating, a challenge launched at the G7 summit in 2018 to encourage gender lens investing among development finance institutions.

“Electrifying transportation is a key driver of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our cities. This funding accelerates our agenda of promoting and investing in clean and sustainable businesses in India to achieve India’s climate objectives and Sustainable Development Goals,” said EverSource Capital Managing Director and CEO Dhanpal Jhaveri. “With GreenCell Express Private Limited (GEPL) offering, we bring to the intercity bus travel segment, electric buses that reinforce safe, seamless travel experience for new age Indian travellers, especially women."

GEPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of GreenCell Mobility Private Limited (GreenCell), a platform company of Green Growth Equity Fund (GGEF). GGEF is an Indian alternative investment fund in India managed by EverSource Capital with a mandate to mobilize institutional capital into green infrastructure in India.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

Source: ADB

Singaporean-Filipino artist Ysa Yaneza seizes the spotlight on self-titled debut EP, YSA

The 4-track EP chronicles her journey towards heartbreak, reinvention, and womanhood

After getting noticed for her empowering electronic pop/R&B anthems, Singaporean Filipina artist Ysa Yanezais ready to step into the spotlight with the release of her self-titled debut EP, YSA.

The 4-track EP offers an honest and visceral look into the process of embracing her true, beautiful self while peeling away, one by one, the trauma and doubts that have come to define her past. It also contains songs that chronicle her journey towards heartbreak, reinvention, and womanhood.

The genre-melding project, which fuses Y2K pop with R&B vocal stylings, Caribbean-tinged beats, and retro-futurist soundscapes, is co-written by Ysa herself along with established collaborators in the global indie/electronic/bedroom music scene. Chicago-based musician and producer Shubu, co-wrote and produced Ysa’s current single "1Nightwitu," while SOLRWAVE co-helmed "Jaded" and "Thinking Of You." The whole EP was mastered by Stuart Hawkes, a sound engineer who has been nominated for a Grammy and worked on records by artists like Charli XCX, Disclosure, Lorde, and Mabel.

"For mastering, things didn’t go as initially planned but fortunately that led me to work with Stuart Hawkes,” the eclectic pop act shares. "I was looking up albums that I really liked from artists I would say influenced my sound and artistry, and that I wanted my songs and EP to have a similar sound direction, and I realized most of them had actually worked with Stuart Hawkes so it was a definite go for me."

YSA stands out with a collection of chest-pounding tunes that brim with emotional sincerity and confidence. The carrier single "1Nightwitu" takes empowerment to an entirely new level, while encouraging her peers and contemporaries to value their self-worth. The island-tinged, dance-pop jam earned glowing reviews from the press, with NME praising the song for "sending out a message of female empowerment" and Nylon Manilacalling it a "tropical house number" that "calls on women to embrace their sexuality."

Other tracks on the album include "Thinking Of You," a chilling slice of midtempo R&B that demonstrates the Singaporean-Filipina’s more sophisticated musical persona; "Jaded," a mid-‘90s, Robyn-inspired tune steeped in the aesthetics and vernacular of a particular generation; and "Jewel," an 8-bit pop tune that serves as a promo single.

"The songs I wrote in this EP describe certain parts of my life that helped me shape who I am today,” says the Softlyartist. “Coming into womanhood, I think it's important to remind ourselves that every single person has their own journey because as young women, we often feel pressure to be a certain way or meet certain standards. I wrote this EP for anyone who's gone through heartbreak, gaslighting, toxic relationships but I also wanted it to serve as a reminder that you can blossom from these gloomy days, find your confidence within, and understand your self-worth.” 

Ysa Yaneza will embark on a Manila press tour in November 2022 to promote her self-titled EP, and she will perform her first live show in Manila in December 2022 alongside Singaporean band, M1LDL1FE. Ysa has over 32,600 followers on TikTok thanks to her original skits, style, and personality that she shows off when she is not making music.

Listen to Ysa Yaneza’s debut self-titled EP here.

Source: Nyou