Egat awards Bt17-billion contract for new plant
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand yesterday awarded a Bt17-billion contract to Sumitomo, Hitachi and Italian-Thai Development to construct and equip the North Bangkok natural gas-fired power plant. Egat governor Kraisri Karnasuta said the Cabinet approved the project in December to help meet the growing power demand in the Central region.
The 704-megawatt facility will be located on a 70-rai site in Nonthaburi and will begin producing power in 2010. Hitachi will be responsible for design, while Sumitomo will take care of parts purchasing and other operations. The two Japanese firms will team up with their Thai partner to build the facility. Kraisri gave assurances that the new plant would comply with environmental standards. Since it will use natural gas as fuel and have a nitrogen oxide control system installed, it will emit less pollution into the air. Wastewater will be treated before release into the Chao Phya River, while noise pollution will be minimised. Despite the slowing economy, power demand has been rising. On Wednesday, power demand peaked at 21,374.6MW, after hitting a year-high of 21,317.8MW on Tuesday. "It's hot and the temperature is expected to rise, which could lead to another peak in demand. The public needs to use power wisely and efficiently. This will reduce households' bills and national fuel consumption," Kraisri said. Meanwhile, the Energy Policy and Planning Office plans to open bidding for small power producers (SPPs) next month so they can start feeding electricity into the national grid in 2011. Director-general Viraphol Jirapraditkul said the tenders should draw an extra 500MW from the SPPs. Most of the SPPs and very small power producers would use biomass and waste to generate power. The bidding documents will be available from April 2-May 18. Energy Reporters The Nation
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