Increase approved for 'adder' power tariffs

Chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the NEPC raised the special tariff - the so-called 'adder' rate - on biomass and biogas power with less than 1 megawatt in installed capacity to Bt0.50 per unit from Bt0.30.

Tariffs on waste energy are increased from Bt2.50 to Bt3.50 per unit, those of wind power with installed capacity of less than 50MW to Bt4.50 from Bt3.50, and those of small hydro-power plants with capacity of 50MW-200MW doubled from Bt0.40 to Bt0.80.

The tariff on hydro plants with capacity of less than 50MW will be Bt1.50, from Bt0.80. Solar power tariff is maintained at Bt8 per unit.

An adder of Bt1 per unit is also approved for renewable energy that replaces diesel consumption.

"The adders will be in effect for seven years, except for solar and wind energy, for which the effective period will be 10 years," the NEPC said in a statement.

The council also approved the revised national power development plan (PDP), which has been amended in line with declining economic growth.

While the authorities are to implement the plans specified for the years 2009-2015, those for 2016 and 2021 will take into account the new power demand forecasts.

Under the PDP, at the end of 2021, Thailand's overall generating capacity will be 51,792MW, down by 6,408MW from the original plan.

During 2009-2021, installed capacity will be 30,155 MW, down 5,091MW from the original plan.

More power from small power producers will also be purchased. The power authorities will also reduce the demand for power from neighbouring countries, and focus more on local producers.

Moreover, it will delay the purchase of power from two independent power producers by a year.

Meanwhile, the capacity of nuclear power plants, expected to commence operations in 2020 and 2021, will be cut by half to 1,000MW.

The NEPC also allowed the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to buy renewable energy from small producers and very small producers at any time and at a volume that fits the 15-year renewable energy development plan.

It also transferred the regulatory power over funds for communities near power plants to the Energy Regulatory Commission.