BANGKOK, 8 August 2012 – The country’s power producer has unveiled its plan to build more coal-fired power plants in southern Thailand during the next 7 years.
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)’s Deputy Governor – Policy & Planning Mongkol Sakulkao revealed on Tuesday that EGAT is now in the middle of field visits to the country’s southern region to meet with locals and explain its plan to build more coal-fired power plants there.
Mr. Mongkol said that 4 plants have been planned under the Thailand Power Development Plan 2010 – 3rd amendment.
He stated that new plants are needed to help supply power in the South, where energy demand is currently at 2,500 megawatts, with an estimated annual increase of 6 percent; while the present production capacity is only at 2,100 megawatts.
Until more power plants are operational, the EGAT will have to channel the electricity generated in the central region to fulfill the demand.
The EGAT’s Deputy Governor said that the first new southern plant is to be constructed in Krabi Province and is expected to be completed by 2019, while the construction for each of the rest will commence every 3 years.
