EGAT affirms halt of JDA natural gas no effects on electricity production

BANGKOK, Aug 19 (TNA) -- The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) assured that the temporary halt of the natural gas supply from the Thailand-Malaysia Joint Development Area (JDA) A18 would not affect the country's electricity production, as diesel could be used instead. EGAT Deputy Governor for the Transmission System Suthon Boonprasong said the natural gas relay from the JDA-A18 would be temporary halted between August 20-31 for its annual scheduled maintenance procedure. He noted that that this would cause Thailand to lose a total amount of 421 million cubic feet of natural gas per day during the 12-day maintenance, prompting all concerned agencies to prepare measures ahead of the situation in all aspects. He said that the halt would begin on August 20, adding that EGAT and relevant agencies would have been closely coordinating on all operations, particularly on the technical front, so everything will run smoothly. Moreover, he said the first set of the Chana power plant in Songkhla province is also set to operate with diesel fuel instead. Mr Suthon said the operations with diesel fuel at the Chana power plant has already been tested and was proven to be efficient enough, adding all of the power plants in the Thai south have also been inspected and prepare for the situation, where all operations would be prohibited from stopping during the natural gas resource repair and coordination has been worked out with Malaysia on the purchase of extra electricity during emergencies. The EGAT also asked the public to please help with the situation by helping to conserve energy during peak hours or between 6-9.30pm at the time of the maintenance. (TNA)