POWER GENERATING
Egat to invest nearly Bt700 bn in next five years
The Nation


A technician checks the solar panels at a solar power plant.

BANGKOK: -- The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand plans to invest Bt668.3 billion during 2016-2020.

According to Egat Governor Soonchai Kumnoonsate, the investment is geared towards new power plants as well as an upgrade in the power grid to connect new power plants and new renewable power plants.

The new power plants include the replacement of four generating units at Bang Pakong plant, the coal-fired power plant in Krabi and two more in Songkhla.

In 2016, Hongsa power plant’s third generator will commence operations.

"Our plan is to come up with the best commercial technology to enhance pollution control efficiency for good environment for communities," he said.

The agency expects power consumption to peak at 28,470 megawatt during the year 2016, or an increase by 4.1 per cent from 2015. Meanwhile, power consumption as a whole is expected to increase by 3.1 per cent on year, based on the 3.7 per cent economic growth forecast by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board.

In 2015, 69 per cent of power consumed in the country was generated by natural gas, 20 per cent by coal, 8 per cent by hydropower, 2.4 per cent by renewable energy and 0.6 per cent by others. Though fuel prices remained low, the fuel tariff in the year was cut by only 22.62 satang per unit because the baht weakened against US dollar and lower hydropower, according to Egat.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Egat-to-invest-nearly-Bt700-bn-in-next-five-years-30275919.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-31

"Our plan is to come up with the best commercial technology

On the photo it looks like the solar panels are mounted under a roof or other panels?. Is that the latest technology?

"Our plan is to come up with the best commercial technology

On the photo it looks like the solar panels are mounted under a roof or other panels?. Is that the latest technology?

It is called perspective, a false impression given by the camera position.

I'm confused.

On October 3, 2015 the Ministry of Energy expressed readiness to invest in important energy projects worth 690 billion baht in the fiscal year 2016 but State-owned Egat plans to invest Bt668.3 billion during 2016-2020 ???

In any case Thailand currently uses gas and oil in 70% of the Kingdom’s electricity generation. Its petroleum reserves will be exhausted in the next six years if there are no upcoming exploration and production contracts. Largley influenced by Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant incident in 2011, Thailand's first proposed nuclear facility has been delayed to at least 2026 and scaled back from an originally proposed 5 GW to 2 GW.

Current plans are to build seven more coal-fired power plants.

Enjoy more CO₂ emissions anyone?

I'm confused.

On October 3, 2015 the Ministry of Energy expressed readiness to invest in important energy projects worth 690 billion baht in the fiscal year 2016 but State-owned Egat plans to invest Bt668.3 billion during 2016-2020 ???

In any case Thailand currently uses gas and oil in 70% of the Kingdom’s electricity generation. Its petroleum reserves will be exhausted in the next six years if there are no upcoming exploration and production contracts. Largley influenced by Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant incident in 2011, Thailand's first proposed nuclear facility has been delayed to at least 2026 and scaled back from an originally proposed 5 GW to 2 GW.

Current plans are to build seven more coal-fired power plants.

Enjoy more CO₂ emissions anyone?

Simple math will tell you that 89% is fossil fuel generated. Simple logic should tell you that replacing that 89% will not be easy as there is no economical way of storing the energy produced by uncontrollable "green"sources.

While politicians make promises they can't keep re CO₂ emissions, fossil fuels will still be burnt generating electricity and making steel until science develops alternate power sources that can supply energy 24/7 and at a reasonable price.

Thailand should look at investing in LNG Import Terminals to get Natural Gas to produce electricity.

They are very close to Major Exporters including Malaysia and Australia. This fuel is quite cheap now and a good time to place long term contracts. Natural Gas burns far more cleaner then coal also, and they won't have to depend as much on other countries to get there gas or electricity at higher prices. Japan is loaded with these type of LNG Terminals and where a majority of there electricity is generated from.

It is though one department that I take my hat off too.

In 24 years that I know of, they have managed to keep up supply pretty well & very few outages less than many developed countries

that have lived in.

The new dam in Lao has been underwritten by Egat & has contracted for over 85% of output.

The massive increase in industry over the last 30 years has made their job pretty tough but the planning in having on site

large breakdown transformers close to industry they have been able to supply.

I am sure their forward planning will suffice for the next 10 .years

If you want to have a bitch about a Govt department have a go at SRT, they have developed NOTHING in 20 years

I'm grateful to EGAT for providing the fine golf course at MaeMoh. However, if they wish to spend a few well-placed baht, they could improve the signage to the course. Once we leave Hiway 11, or Hiway 1, it's a mystery trail to the golf course.