EGAT Power Production Capacity May Be Cut By Half

[Jai Dee]

EGAT's power production capacity may have to be cut by half

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) says it might have to cut the production capacity by half due to a lack of financial support which is resulted from its failure to mobilize funds in the capital market.

Chairman of the Electricity Affairs Supervisory Council Yongyut Wichaidit (ยงยุทธ วิชัยดิษฐ์) revealed that since it has become impossible for EGAT to launch a recapitalization in the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the state enterprise will have to revise its investment plan on new power plants by looking into other financial sources.The outcome of such consideration will be submitted to the Electricity Affairs Supervisory Council -- the electricity regulatory board. If EGAT's new production capacity is less than the 50 percent target, it would in the future revise down further the production capacity.

EGAT has recently revised down the estimated figure of power demand in the country to 9,000 megawatts, from 13,000 megawatts previously. To ease a possible shortage, EGAT has made an agreement with Laos to buy 613 megawatts of electricity from Nam-ngeum (น้ำงึม) dam. The state enterprise expects to open bidding for the construction of a new power plant by the end of this year.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 April 2006

[astral]

Does he mean they are cutting their "growth plans" by half?

I cannot see why financial support should be needed for the current capacity?

Not unless they plan to shut down half the plants???

If Laos can manage it and has spare capacity, then there is something

very wrong at the management level of EGAT!!!!

[plachon]

Does he mean they are cutting their "growth plans" by half?

I cannot see why financial support should be needed for the current capacity?

Not unless they plan to shut down half the plants???

If Laos can manage it and has spare capacity, then there is something

very wrong at the management level of EGAT!!!!

Yes, you're not wrong there Astral! And there always has been. EGAT in the past has been basically accountable to no-one and had a habit of always getting its way. Being turned down by the Supreme Court has caught it unawares and now figure it to being akin to a spoilt kid who when finally being refused something, throws a tantrum and threatens to break all its toys.

By the way, the only reason that Laos has spare capacity, is because it puts Thai power needs above its own. 95 % of leccy from Nam Theun 2 under construction will be sold to Thailand. meanwhile most rural Laotians don't have access to any. Go figure.