briefs

Egat unit inks deal with Laos power firm

Egat International (Egati) and Electricite du Laos (EDL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint investment in energy and related business earlier this week.

The strategic joint investments outlined in the MoU involve four potential areas - linkage of electricity transmission systems and high voltage stations between Thailand and Laos; a joint study on further development and maintenance of such linkage and facilities of EDL and three other private power-plant operators; the development of a fibre optic communications network for telecom businesses; and the development of a new power plant in Laos.

Energy Ministry to buy tapioca for fuel

The Commerce Ministry is working with the Energy Ministry on a deal for the latter to purchase 1.6 million tonnes of tapioca from the crop's pledging project in the next three months (January to March) to be used in the production of ethanol.

At a price of Bt2.50 per kilogram, the purchase of tapioca for ethanol production is aimed at releasing tapioca and reducing stocking costs.

About 152,000 tonnes of fresh tapioca were entered into the pledging project in 2012/2013. The Energy Ministry aims to purchase 7.5 million tonnes of tapioca in 2014, or 30 per cent of the country's total tapioca output.