Thailand: National power plan revisions afoot

Thailand: National power plan revisions afoot

Energy policymakers will revise the national power development plan (PDP
2015-36) in order to generate sufficient power for the country if plans to
develop the two coal-fired power plants in the southern region -- in Krabi
and Thepha district in Songkhla province -- are further delayed or scrapped.

The PDP revision is also in line with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's
recommendation last week that the proportion of renewable power should rise
to 40% of the country's total power generation from 30% in the current plan.

Areepongse Bhoochaoom, permanent secretary at the Energy Ministry, said the
new target was not far-fetched as there are technologies that help cut
renewable energy costs, which help encourage more investment in the sector.

He said it was also an appropriate time to review the PDP plan this year,
when construction costs and prices of other building materials have dropped
along with global oil prices. The government would need to adjust the plan
to match the changing situation.

Thailand has implemented the PDP for about two years, during which renewable
power production has reached 9,000 megawatts. The total renewable power
target for 2036 is 19,630MW.

"We have met half the renewable power target within only two years and if
the government wants us to increase the proportion of renewable energy it
will not be that hard," Mr Areepongse said at the trade fair "Sustainable
Energy Technology Asia 2017" in Bangkok yesterday, an event showcasing
renewable technologies.

Regarding the Krabi coal-fired power plant, he said policymakers plan to
hold a seminar to be attended by all involved parties, when a final decision
could be expected on whether to generate power from fossil or renewable
resources for the southern region.

The seminar is expected to be held within a month.

The PDP revision plan follows Mr Prayut's order for a review of the
feasibility study on the Krabi coal-fired power plant project to allow input
from all parties, especially local villagers who oppose the project.

Mr Areepongse also said energy policymakers will consider options to help
low-income earners with their power bills, with the Finance Ministry working
out the subsidy method.

Power bill subsidies for low-income earners, who consume less than 50
kilowatt hours a month, was initiated under the Yingluck Shinawatra
government.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1211277/national-power-plan-revisio
ns-afoot

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com