Electricity usage reaches peak twice yesterday: EGAT

[webfact]

Electricity usage reaches peak twice yesterday: EGAT

BANGKOK, 13 May 2016 (NNT) – Hot weather has caused electricity usage to reach new highs twice on 11 May, despite seven record breaking figures this year alone, says EGAT.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand’s (EGAT) Governor Soonchai Kumnoonsate said officials recorded two electricity usage peaks yesterday, 29,600.8 megawatts at 2:12 p.m., and at 29,618.8 megawatts at 10:28 p.m.

These record breaking figures comes in a year where electricity consumption has peaked to new highs seven times this year alone. Energy demand was high during the weekday from the industry sector, businesses and services, and residential houses due to the hot weather.

The EGAT governor affirms that the nation's electricity generating capacity is sufficient, while energy reserves can add production by 10-15 percent, pushing total production capacity up to 32,000 megawatts.

To accommodate the increasing usage, EGAT will be postponing all maintenance operations at main generators during April and May, as well as allocating more electricity generated from the hydroelectricity plant in Laos PDR. EGAT has also prepared reserve fuels for electricity generation in Ratchaburi and Bang Pakong Power Plants, and will be coordinating with PTT Plc to store natural gas for emergency use.


-- NNT 2016-05-13

[JAG]

I'm not surprised, it was jolly hot.

We don't have aircon, (pause for self righteous congratulation) but the fans were going full blast and the Chihuahuas were insisting on ice in their drinking water!

[Chao Lao Beach]

Most Thais that I see the default setting is 15'c.

[DrTuner]

Uhm capacity with 10-15% boost from reserve is 32GW and they were pushing out near 30 yesterday? Prepare for brownouts.

[gandalf12]

Since maintenance is to be put on hold I can only assume that unlike other areas of the world Thailand does not have the facilities to switch in a standby unit while maintaining what was an online unit be it generator or breakers etc

[kennalder]

To accommodate the increasing usage, EGAT will be postponing all maintenance operations at main generators during April and May, as well as allocating more electricity generated from the hydroelectricity plant in Laos PDR.

A couple of things come to mind. First, it doesn't seem wise to Schedule maintenance in what we know ahead of time will be the hottest time of the year. Second, postponing maintenance in April and May? April is long gone and May is almost half gone.

Surely there is something lost in the translation. Thailand really needs to come to grips with the fact that even the best English speaking Thai's don't really get all the nuances of the English language. Hire professional English speakers to work with Thai editors, or remain the laughing stock of the world.

[vivid]

Quite a number of places were pushing Heat Index (apparent feel) temperatures of very close to 50 deg C. It's the heat + the high humidity that causes people to really feel hot.

When the Heat Index gets past 52 deg C, that's where the dangers of heat exhaustion/heat stroke really mount easily, and staying hydrated only helps that much (as the perspiration cannot evaporate fast enough to cool you)

Actually, current Heat Index temperatures are already dangerous in its own right if exposure, hydration and physical activity is not monitored.

(i'll take it that folks are already wearing very light clothings or even half-naked for current external conditions )

Eg, BKK, Hua Hin etc.

The personal weather stations in the streets were pushing over 50 deg C in downtown Bangkok. With additional air-conditioning usage/duration, plus the Heat Island Effect in cities, that hot condition is pretty much sustained even in the night time.

Eg, People in some cities using air-conditioners more and longer, plus the heat soak in rooms and heat going past the buildings' insulation is just gonna be higher......all contributing factors.

This is for Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport.

Look at the second column, that's the Heat Index temp.

[Srikcir]

Electricity usage peaked yesterday at 29,618.8 megawatts

April 27th Sonchai predicted that the maximum power consumption this year would not surpass 29,200 megawatts.

I predict Egat will make another prediction soon - 29,800 megawatts.

Followed by more predictions through the summer!

[Usernames]

Build more shopping malls!

[notmyself]

Uhm capacity with 10-15% boost from reserve is 32GW and they were pushing out near 30 yesterday? Prepare for brownouts.

I wonder how much more it is than the last couple of years. On the face of it, it looks like they are running it close to the bone in any case.

[ExpatOilWorker]

Uhm capacity with 10-15% boost from reserve is 32GW and they were pushing out near 30 yesterday? Prepare for brownouts.

Since hydro electricity generation is running at a all time low, it is actually pretty impressive that EGAT have been keeping up with demand.

[Guest]

Most Thais that I see the default setting is 15'c.

I'm going to guess that is a typo and you mean 25' C

(If not) Truth be told ... I do not think you know much about Thailand or Thai people ...

Not going to waste time proving the point, any TV reader who actually lives in Thailand ... knows the reality.

[rubl]

Somehow it feels less hot today in my neck of the woods, khet Dusit, Bangkok that is.

Checking I see that the forecast shows rain later coming week. Will the rainy season finally arrive?

[aneliane]

Cloud seeding costs would be largely covered by all these extra money spent on electricity.

Not to mention prices of food increase.

[halloween]

Since maintenance is to be put on hold I can only assume that unlike other areas of the world Thailand does not have the facilities to switch in a standby unit while maintaining what was an online unit be it generator or breakers etc

Postponing routine maintenance is normal during high demand periods. What "facilities" are you referring to?

[ExpatOilWorker]

29,600.8 megawatts is equivalent to 3 tons/second or about 1/4 millions tons/day of fossil fuel burned.

Not bad to keep the lights on at a few massage parlors and ensure the TV is on for the evenings soap opera.