ID :
436807
Wed, 02/22/2017 - 04:46
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Thailand Embarking on New Environment Study on Proposed Power Plant

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- The Thai Government will carry out a new environment and health impact assessment (EHIA) study on the proposed coal-fired power plant in Krabi, says Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Pending approval of the study on the construction of the power plant, it would be constructed in 2024, he said. "But if the project (proposed Krabi power plant) cannot proceed, who will take the responsibility if we have power shortage in the future?," he asked the media after chairing the cabinet meeting here Tuesday. According to an earlier plan, the proposed Krabi power plant was scheduled to come on stream in 2022. The proposed coal-fired power plant in Krabi, as well as in Thepa, Songkla was the subject of demonstration by hundreds of protestors in Bangkok last week, opposing its construction for environment and health reasons. Following the demonstration, the government agreed to conduct a new EHIA study which would take into account opinions from the local population. The government decided to construct 800 Mega Watt (MW) and 2,000MW coal-fired power plants in Krabi and Thepa to address the acute power supply problem in the south. Meanwhile, government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd noticed that neigbouring Malaysia had seven coal-fired power plants located in coastal areas. According to him, there is a possibility Thailand may buy power from neigbouring countries, in the event of a shortage of the commodity in the country. -- BERNAMA

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