Egat board backs study of Bt14-bn Lao plant

The board of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has approved the state enterprise's plan to study a possible joint investment with the Lao government in the Nam Ngieb power plant.
The state enterprise's deputy governor Apichat Diloksopon yesterday said the board gave the nod to Egat to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Lao government to conduct the joint study of the project. The Nam Ngieb power plant will be located in Laos and has a capacity of 261 megawatts. It will supply electricity to Thailand in 2014. Japan's electricity generator Kansai has initiated the project, which is estimated to cost US$400 million (Bt14 billion), and invited Egat to participate. Kansai plans to hold a 40-per-cent stake in the project, while the Lao government will take 20 per cent, Thailand's Rojana Industrial Park 15 per cent and Egat 25 per cent. Egat will make a decision later if it will invest directly in the project or through its subsidiaries. The Egat board has also expressed concern whether the construction of power-supply lines along the Na Bon route will be finished within the four-year timeframe. The power lines are for supplying electricity to Thailand from Nam Ngum 2, Nam Ngum 3, Nam Theun 1 and also Nam Ngieb in Laos. The board has asked the state enterprise to ask the Lao government if it needs any support for the power-line project.
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