Thailand: Energy peak could hike electricity bills

Thailand: Energy peak could hike electricity bills

Soaring temperatures have pushed energy usage to 30,303.4 Megawatts (MW) per
day, the year's highest figure so far and possibly a cause for a hike in
production cost.

Energy Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Director for Electricity
Production Management Rerngchai Kongthong disclosed that May 4 saw the
year's first energy usage peak at 30,303.4 MW. The spike, which took place
at 2.20PM, coincided with a temperature of 35.2 degrees Celsius but did not
hit last year's top figure of 30,972.73 MW.

High electricity demand has been attributed to the high heat as citizens use
electrical appliances to try to the weather the temperatures. The latest
peak was likely only quelled by a public effort to use more energy efficient
machines.

Rerngchai noted EGAT is closely monitoring energy usage as major spikes have
taken place over the past 3 years. If usage rises to 32,059 MW, 3.5 percent
higher than 2016, EGAT may have to activate its Bang Pakong and Ratchaburi
generators and use auxiliary fuel, which would increase production costs and
ultimately electricity bills for the public.

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Link to Original Article:
http://thainews.prd.go.th/website_en/news/news_detail/WNSOC6005050010001

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com