EGATi actively expands investment into Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos

BANGKOK, January 28 (TNA) - EGAT International (EGATi), an overseas investment subsidiary of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), is actively investing in neighbouring countries, including Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. EGATi Acting President Thana Putarungsi told journalists on Tuesday that his company, in which EGAT holds the majority stake of 99.99 per cent, plans to make use of existing transnational electricity transmission networks to boost power security in Laos, in addition to its existing underwater power cables connected to Hong Kong and Singapore. Thana said that Laos is interested in the idea after EGATi has sent its detailed proposal to Vientiane, noting that in the long run, his company will focus on electricity generation with conventional and alternative fuels and also on trade and investment in liquefied natural gas (LPG) and coal used for electricity generation. Besides, EGATi will also invest in power transmission lines and their maintenance, as his company is ready to develop joint ventures with other business partners and for electricity generation, his firm may develop new projects or take over existing ones, depending on suitability. Thana acknowledged he also discussed new investment plans in Myanmar and Vietnam recently. In Myanmar, EGATi is investing in the Hutgyi hydropower plant project, set to be completed by 2019, and the Mai Tong hydropower plant project, in which EGATi wants the Myanmar government to finish its environmental impact assessment (EIA) soon so that its power supply can start approximately by 2026-2028 as expected. In Vietnam, EGATi is investing in the Quang Tri power plant project in Quang Tri Province, which will be fueled by imported coal and has the generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts. According to the EGATi acting president, Vietnam wants EGATi to bear the total investment in the project, worth 69750 million baht. The facility is expected to start its power sale in 2019. (TNA)