BANGKOK, June 13 — The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) has geared up to supply electricity to meet the power demand in the South during the 28-day gas suspension period at the JDA-A18 source.
EGAT officially opened its so-called war room on Friday to monitor and work with the command centres in Krabi and Trang provinces in the South through a video conference system during the maintenance closure of the Thailand Malaysia Joint Development Area JDA-A18 gas source from June 13 – July 10.
EGAT Governor Soonchai Kumnoonsate and Transmission System deputy governor Suthon Boonprasong assured the public that there will be no blackout in the Southern region as the Ministry of Energy and EGAT have been fully prepared to cope with the impact of the JDA-A18 gas supply disruption.
There will be sufficient electricity supply during the temporary closure, EGAT official emphasised, noting that all parties must help reduce power consumption, especially during early evening hours, as power use in the region reaches 2,450 megawatts from 6pm-9.30pm, while the power supply from Central Thailand and other power plants in the South can only provide 2,300 megawatts.
EGAT officials also revealed that Malaysia recently agreed to export about 150-300 megawatts of electrical power per day to Thailand.
The Chana Power Plant, the main electrical power source in the Thai South, completely stopped its electricity generating service on Friday during the 28-day gas supply disruption from the JDA-A18 well for maintenance by PTT Public Company Limited (PTT) in which the power production capacity in 14 Southern provinces will drop by 710 megawatts per day.
