BANGKOK, Feb 26 – The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is predicting this year’s electricity demand to rise only by 2 per cent, lower than the expected 3-4 per cent rise due to slow economic growth as a result of ongoing political problems.
EGAT Governor Soonchai Kumnoonsate said power consumption had dropped for three consecutive months, while February consumption also declined compared to the same period last year. He explained that lower electricity demand was obviously in tandem with the sluggish economy dampened by ongoing political instability.
Mr Soonchai told the media that EGAT will reduce production costs to cope with reduced revenues from declining electricity sales. It will, however, invest more in the power distribution system and go ahead with the planned construction of a new power plant. EGAT has also prepared to increase income from its maintenance service.
The EGAT governor also reported that the country’s power consumption is expected to hit its peak in April at 27,000 megawatts, about 100 megawatts higher than last April. He gave assurances that EGAT will have enough electricity supply to cope with the peak electricity demand in April.
