Rapid Growth Could Lead To Power Shortages

Govt fears rapid growth could lead to power shortages

Published on Nov 11, 2003

The country's economic recovery will lead to increased demand for electric power next year and possible power shortages in some parts of the country, a government spokesman said yesterday.

"Demand in the Kingdom will reach 122.02 million units, or 19,029 megawatts, next year due to the government's readjustment of the gross domestic product [GDP] growth to 8 per cent," Tienchai Jongpipien, chairman of the government's sub-committee on electricity utilisation, said.

The sub-committee will officially declare the new electricity forecast figures by the end of this month, he said.

The increase in consumption for the last fiscal year (October 2002-September 2003) was higher than the expected 5 per cent, climbing by 7.7 per cent, or 116.7 million units, due to business expansion as Thailand's economy grew by 6 per cent, said Tienchai.

"The new forecast figure will be submitted for ratification by the electricity committee in preparation for next year's electricity consumption plan," he said.

The increased demand for power might cause shortages in the Northeast because of the insufficient number of power plants at present, said Tienchai. Real electricity consumption in the region this year is at 8.91 million units, representing 8.03-per-cent growth, as opposed to the earlier forecast of 6.75 per cent. Consumption in the Northeast amounts to 13.4 per cent of the country's overall consumption

While the Nam Pong power plant in Khon Kaen and the Pak Mool Dam plant in Ubon Ratchathani supply most of the energy for the Northeast, the region has to import electricity from other regions when there is a shortage, he said

"However, there are not enough water resources in the region to build another dam to generate more power," added Tienchai.

Natural-gas resources in the area are also insufficient for use as a fuel for a new power plant.

"If a new gas power plant has to be built, there will be a need to build a gas pipeline from other regions. We are however planning a joint venture with Laos, which will generate more electric power for the area," he said.

He said the southern provinces also had to import power from other regions.