• 
• 

Published on January 31, 2008

The construction company yesterday informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand that Italian-Thai Power, of which it owns 15 per cent, signed an agreement with the two partners to conduct a study to invest in the 3.66-gigawatt project in Koh Kong province, which borders Thailand's Trat province.

The plan calls for the two electric companies to own a combined 70 per cent of the project and Italian-Thai Power 30 per cent.

The companies are negotiating the details of power export sales with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

The Nation

Cassava growers receive a boost

The Agricultural Land Reform Office has signed contracts with both Boonanek and Palang Kaset Industry to support farmers in eight provinces in growing more cassava as feedstock for ethanol plants.

As fears mount of a shortage for both human and industrial consumption, the government has encouraged farmers to grow more cassava, maize and sugar cane, which can be used to produce alternative energy.

The targeted provinces are Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Amnat Charoen and Yasothon, covering 500,000 rai and 25,000 farmers. The harvests will directly supply the two company's ethanol plants.

Secretary-general Anant Poositthikul yesterday said the project would serve Boonanek's ethanol plant, which will be set up in Nakhon Ratchasima with total capacity of 1.05 million litres per day, or 346.5 litres per year.

The plant will require 6,600 tonnes of cassava per day, or 2.2 million tonnes per year.

Palang Kaset Industry's plant will have a planned capacity of 700,000 litres of ethanol per day, or 231 litres per year, requiring 4,400 tonnes per day, or 1.46 million tonnes per year, of feedstock.

The Nation

Auto outlook rosy for years to come

The auto industry will continue expanding despite the gloomy economic outlook, says Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras.

He made the forecast at a seminar yesterday entitled "World-Class Auto Parts".

Over the past decade, the auto-manufacturing industry has chalked up 15.2-per-cent annual growth, while exports expanded 54 per cent per year.

This has given a big boost to supporting industries, as locally sourced parts account for 90 per cent of output. The outlook is bright following the launch of several eco-car projects.

The small-car projects will encourage more foreign companies to invest in auto-parts factories here.

Thailand will produce 2 million vehicles a year by 2011 and 2.5 million by 2014. With half of those exported, Thailand will rank among the world's top 10 auto exporters, he added.

The Nation

Floating NGV station for boats

The Marine Department plans to build a floating natural gas for vehicles station to serve public boats plying the Chao Phya River.

It is expected to service at least 40 boats a day. The proposal follows problems finding a suitable site along the riverbank for the station and with high land costs.

The Nation