Thailand: Focus on high-voltage line after plant delay

Thailand: Focus on high-voltage line after plant delay

In light of the indefinite delay in development of the Krabi coal-fired
power plant, coupled with rising demand for electricity in the South, energy
policymakers are pushing to complete a 63.2-billion-baht high-voltage
transmission line (HVTL) project by year-end.

"According to Energy Ministry estimates, shortages of electricity supply in
southern provinces will probably start in mid-2019, and the HTVL development
will provide a stopgap until the new plant is ready to feed the power grid
in the area," said Kijja Sripatthangkura, deputy governor of the Electricity
Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat).

Previously, Egat had planned to open bidding for its HVTL network, which
will feed power from the Ratchaburi power plant to the grid in Prachuap
Khiri Khan, upgrading from 230 kilovolts to 500kV this year.

It will also develop a 500kV HVTL from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Bang Saphan to
Surat Thani through Phuket.

The new line is designed to be able to feed the top tourist provinces in
mid-2019.

"We are now focusing on this project and attempting to open bidding within
the second quarter with no delay," Mr Kijja said.

He said another HVTL project from Surat Thani to Thung Song and Songkhla
worth 35.4 billion baht is expected to seek cabinet approval in March. The
design details and auction terms of reference will be completed in 2019.

All extension transmission lines will also help serve the transmission
demands of the numerous renewable power plants in the areas, Mr Kijja said,
adding that the southern provinces are populated with large palm plantations
that can be used to fuel biomass power plants.

No one knows whether the 800-megawatt Krabi coal-fired power plant will be
built or not.

Over the weekend, protesters pressured the government to retract its
decision to allow the project to proceed on Friday and order Egat to
re-conduct the environmental and health impact assessment (EHIA) report.

As a result, the project has been derailed from the commercial operation
schedule, from mid-2019 to the end of 2021, which is the soonest Egat can
construct the new supply.

The 800MW coal-fired power plant in Krabi has been planned in order to serve
the rapid rise of demand in the South, boosted by the influx of tourist
arrivals.

Twarath Sutabutr, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office,
said the South's power demand has grown at an average 4.2% a year over the
past decade, compared with 2-3% annual growth in the central region.

"Andaman Sea provinces are at risk of power blackouts because there is no
major regional power supply," Mr Twarath said.

There is only one bunker oil power plant in Krabi that can generate a
maximum of 315MW, much lower the present demand of 800MW.

Mr Kijja said Egat has also prepared three long-term solutions if the Krabi
coal-fired plant is scrapped: first, the development of a floating storage
and re-gasification unit (FSRU) in the Andaman Sea; second, modify fuel
usage of existing Krabi bunker-oil plants to natural gas and increase their
capacity; third, build another gas-fired plant.

All options put the country at risk of relying on natural gas and would
create high costs from the import of gas.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Link to Original Article:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1201985/plan-b-for-south-power

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com