Egat set to increase use of coal
Bangkok Post, Friday, June 11, 2004
Yuthana Praiwan
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) will step up the use of coal in electricity production in the future, as the price of natural gas tends to increase in line with fuel oil.
Natural gas is now the main source of fuel for power production, accounting for 70% of total used while coal accounts for only 17%.
"To stabilize electricity bills in the future, more coal will be used. New power plants built after 2010 in particular will be coal-fuelled," said Egat's acting governor, Narongsak Wichetpun.
Egat has dropped a plan to raise the energy adjustment charge (Ft) in power bills by one satand per unit (kilowatt/hour) this month due to Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra's order to providers to freeze utility prices.
Mr. Narongsak said the price of natural gas which is tied to oil would certainly soar in the future while the price of coal had been quite stable for 3-4 years.
However, Egat would have to consult the Energy Ministry about the plan to secure the energy supply in the future.
At present, two major coal-fired power plants are in operation. The plant in Mae Mo, Lampang, is run by Egat and has a capacity of 2,200 MW. The other one in Rayong is run by The Cogeneration PLc ( Coco ) with a capacity of 126 MW.
Another coal-fired plant is under construction and expected to start supplying electricity in 2006. The plant, equally owned by Banpu Plc and China Light Power, has a capacity of 1,400 MW.
To prevent resistance from environmentalists, like that faced by the Bo Nok and Hin Krut coal-fuelled power plants, Mr. Narongsak said it was essential for energy officials concerned to make the public understand that advanced techonology for coal-fired plants today could be used effectively and not be harmful to the environment.
Sponsors of the Bo Nok and Hin Krut plants in Prachuap Khiri Khan were forced to shift their sites elsewhere and to use natural gas as fuel instead of coal. They had faced a series of strong protests by conservations and villagers nearby who feared the use of coal would cause environmental problems.
Back to Newsclippings | To top
|
