Thai Energy Minister Raises Concern About Electricity Reserves On April 9 And 10

[webfact]

More public cooperation sought amid worries about surge in power demand
Watchara Pussayanwin
The Nation


A staff member works inside the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal raised concern about electricity reserves on Tuesday and Wednesday, when demand is expected to rise by about 1,450MW each day.

He hoped that public cooperation would help boost reserves by 700MW each day, resulting in at least 2,000MW of reserve on the two days.

The Energy Ministry had earlier expected yesterday's rising temperatures to peak power demand and put pressure on power reserves. However, power reserves yesterday stabilised at 2,450MW, much higher than the expected 1,500MW, which would have triggered a brownout or blackout in some areas.

The Energy Minister said that after evaluating the system yesterday following the halt in delivery of natural gas from Myanmar, the peak level electricity usage stood at 24,955MW, which is 1,700MW lower than the target. This is because the general public and industrial entrepreneurs had cooperated and cut down energy usage during the period. Of the 1,700MW saved yesterday, about 1,000MW came from the industrial sector, which resulted in electricity reserves hitting the 2,450MW level.

"Electricity usage was at its highest at 2.30pm yesterday, but the people sector cut their use of power, which led to a significant reduction of overall electricity consumption in the country. We are able to go through this energy crisis thanks to strong cooperation," he said.

Pongsak added that the electricity consumption in Bangkok was normal yesterday, causing no drops in voltage.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday called on the public to help save energy and bring national electricity consumption down by 15 per cent.

"We have seen the 10-per-cent energy saving target in the government sector met, but I would like to see 15 per cent in total. This means more savings should come from the private section. That way, we'll be able to save a lot of energy," she said.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) governor Sutas Patamasiriwat said power consumption was expected to peak at about 24,950MW each on Tuesday and Wednesday, though the agency will be able to maintain safe reserve levels at 1,400MW each day. However, he said, if everybody cooperated like they did yesterday, then the power reserves should rise by another 700MW, bringing the total reserve to 2,000MW, which would make the electricity situation stable and ready to cope with emergencies.

The disruption of natural-gas supply from Myanmar has affected six power plants, which are now relying on diesel and bunker oil to produce electricity.

PTT delivers 50 million litres of diesel to Egat along with 92 million litres of bunker oil per annum and will provide extra fuel should Egat run out. With current levels of fuel consumption, there should be no need for an increase in the fuel adjustment tariff (FT) rate.

"As a long-term solution, the Energy Minister has agreed to set up of coal-power plants and hydropower plants in neighbouring countries if we are unable to build them in Thailand. Egat is currently negotiating with Myanmar to build a coal-power plant in Dawei with a capacity of about 4,000 megawatts, to serve both the Dawei Industrial Estate and Thailand. The plant in Dawei should be able to produce 1,800MW in the first phase," Sutas said.


-- The Nation 2013-04-06

[webfact]

Power outage averted; Thais complimented for energy saving
By English News



BANGKOK, April 6 – Thailand averted a national power outage today thanks to a joint energy-saving effort by the Thai public and private sector, Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said.

He said private industrialists have reduced energy usage by 1,000 MW, and general consumers another 700 MW, contributing to a total consumption at the 2 pm peak hour at 24,955 MW while an earlier forecast for the period was 26,600 MW.

Combined energy consumption during the crucial hour reduced by 1,700 MW, he said.

Mr Pongsak said the phenomenon has added 2,450 MW to the energy reserves of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), or at 15 per cent higher.

Another contributing factor was the favourable temperature at 37.5 degrees Celsius which helped lessen energy consumption.

He expressed appreciation to the Thai people for the joint energy-saving effort and called for a similar cooperation especially on the next crucial period on April 9-10.

EGAT governor Suthas Pattamasiriwat said he was confident that the energy supply will be normal on April 9-10 while the Federation of Thai Industries and industrialists in Thailand have been asked to cooperate in reducing power consumption.

He said the fuel tariff (FT) for electricity generation will not be increased as the volume of diesel to substitute natural gas in generating power was minimal.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on the private sector to save energy consumption by 15 per cent while the government sets a target to reduce it by 10 per cent for the public sector. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-04-06

[siampolee]

So it would seem as if all the platitudes concerning the stability of the supply of electricity are in truth without substance.

Yet again it would seem as if was yet another set of romantic notions uttered by assorted public stooges servants who are on but a ''nodding acquaintance with the truth.''

[whybother]

His "the sky is falling" prediction for April 5 didn't come to fruition so he's trying again?

[Payboy]

A staff member works inside the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand

Strange Facebook page that.

[muttley]

So it would seem as if all the platitudes concerning the stability of the supply of electricity are in truth without substance.

Yet again it would seem as if was yet another set of romantic notions uttered by assorted public stooges servants who are on but a ''nodding acquaintance with the truth.''

I don't suppose you are familiar with the phrase "be prepared". Is there anything that you won't find fault with?

I'd hate to be on a plane with you as they wouldn't let anybody off - They'd think the engines would still be running when all the time it'd just be you in the corner whining.

[siampolee]

I don't suppose you are familiar with the phrase "be prepared". Is there anything that you won't find fault with?

I'd hate to be on a plane with you as they wouldn't let anybody off - They'd think the engines would still be running when all the time it'd just be you in the corner whining.

And I don't suppose you are familiar with the truth either much like this current maladministration and their and your iconic leader the convicted bail jumping corrupt felon Thaksin..

[JetsetBkk]

30203512-01_big.jpg

A staff member works inside the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand

Strange Facebook page that.

Ye, but good that he is not relying on the mobile phone network.

[Markaew]

I believe the answer is to construct several nuclear plants surrounding Bangkok. That would fix everything.

[market trader]

I don't suppose you are familiar with the phrase "be prepared". Is there anything that you won't find fault with?

I'd hate to be on a plane with you as they wouldn't let anybody off - They'd think the engines would still be running when all the time it'd just be you in the corner whining.

And I don't suppose you are familiar with the truth either much like this current maladministration and their and your iconic leader the convicted bail jumping corrupt felon Thaksin..

Your avatar actually applies to you.

[Baerboxer]

Clever idea - build power plants in neighbouring countries. Will work great while relations are good. If things go sour - someone will get squeezed by the balls.

Still, plenty of scope for some good "private business" on the side opportunities with friendly nieghbours

[Johpa]

Just curious how Thailand is able to store "reserve" electricity. Has the Thai government actually jumped ahead of the curve with liquid metal batteries?

[Potosi]

Come on, you know they mean reserve capacity.

[indyuk]

Power outage averted; Thais complimented for energy saving

By English News

BANGKOK, April 6 – Thailand averted a national power outage today thanks to a joint energy-saving effort by the Thai public and private sector, Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said.

He said private industrialists have reduced energy usage by 1,000 MW, and general consumers another 700 MW, contributing to a total consumption at the 2 pm peak hour at 24,955 MW while an earlier forecast for the period was 26,600 MW.

Combined energy consumption during the crucial hour reduced by 1,700 MW, he said.

Mr Pongsak said the phenomenon has added 2,450 MW to the energy reserves of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), or at 15 per cent higher.

Another contributing factor was the favourable temperature at 37.5 degrees Celsius which helped lessen energy consumption.

He expressed appreciation to the Thai people for the joint energy-saving effort and called for a similar cooperation especially on the next crucial period on April 9-10.

EGAT governor Suthas Pattamasiriwat said he was confident that the energy supply will be normal on April 9-10 while the Federation of Thai Industries and industrialists in Thailand have been asked to cooperate in reducing power consumption.

He said the fuel tariff (FT) for electricity generation will not be increased as the volume of diesel to substitute natural gas in generating power was minimal.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on the private sector to save energy consumption by 15 per cent while the government sets a target to reduce it by 10 per cent for the public sector. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-04-06

What happened to the purchase of 270 million additional cubic meters LNG that Yingluck anounced last month when stating that the short fall in energy suppy to the electricity generators would be averted?

[billd766]

I do wish all these people would go into a room and get their story straight on a day to day basis.

Maybe a fully glass windowed room in the middle of a open area with just one fan between them and no keys to the locked doors.