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Published on October 8, 2007

Visit Akaravinak said Egco had shifted its collaborative focus in energy investment because Egat has limitations on privatisation, making expansion difficult. The alliance will enable Egco to integrate PTT's fuel-procurement business into its power business to become a cyclic energy business.

Egco and PTT have joined forces to study the feasibility of power projects using waste and wind.

The companies last week signed a deal along with Sepco-Asia Group to build a Bt600-million sewage-powered electricity plant in Phuket. They plan to build 10 more over the next eight years.

Visit said there would be more cooperation in energy investment. "The LNG Receiving Terminal Project, which is held 50 per cent by PTT, 30 per cent by Egat and 20 per cent by Egco, is one of our future projects."

He said Egco has to invest more in liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities because the country would need to more of the gas to fuel power plants by 2011. It is estimated that the natural-gas supplies from the Gulf of Thailand will be insufficient to run power plants that are already at the bidding stage.

Egco Group adviser Somyos Polachan said it was in talks with PTT to raise its stake in the LNG project. It expects to have a clearer picture in 2009.

PTT may also join a feasibility study into a nuclear-powered plant that Egco and its major shareholder, CLP Group of Hong Kong, plan to conduct.

Watcharapong Thongrung

 The Nation