Thai power projects grow in neighbouring countries

BANGKOK, March 30 (TNA) - Both the Thai public and private sectors are expanding their investment in power projects in neighbouring countries to boost national energy security. Adisak Suriyavanagul, Vice President of EGAT International (EGATi), a subsidiary of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), told journalists on March 29 that EGATi is investing in power projects abroad to transmit electricity to Thailand. Adisak said that EGATi's major power projects abroad include a 1,200-megawatt-coal-fired power plant project in Vietnam's Quang Tri Province, in which EGATi holds a 40 per cent stake and will start operation in either 2022 or 2023. Another project, Adisak elaborated, is the 289-megawatt- Nam Ngiep 1 hydropower project in Laos' Bolikhamxay Province, in which EGATi has a 30 per cent stake and will start to supply power from 2019 onwards. Besides, EGATi has three power projects in Myanmar, including a 7,000-megawatt-hydropower plant in the upper section of the Salween River in the Shan State, in which EGATi holds a 30 per cent stake and will start operation in either 2027 or 2028, a 1,360-megawatt-hydropower plant in the lower section of the Salween River in the Kayin State and a coal-fired power station with an electricity generating capacity of 1,800-2,500 megawatts in Myeik township. Meanwhile, Upakit Pachariyangkun, Director of private-run United Power Asia Public Company Limited (UPA), announced that his company will build the first 10-billion-baht gas-fired power plant in the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Myanmar, in which natural gas will be supplied by Myanmar free of charges and his company has already signed a 30-year contract with the Myanmar Ministry of Energy to sell electricity to Myanmar at 1.18 baht per unit, the highest price the Myanmar government has offered, with its operation to start by 2020. (TNA)