Year 2009

 March 2009

Power plan to face new cutbacks

Business

By: CHATRUDEE THEPARAT

The National Policy Commission expects to cut its energy consumption projection for the next 12 years by 6,408 megawatt, 11% lower than earlier forecasts.

The investment budget might be reduced to 1.626 trillion baht, a drop of 481 billion from 2.1 trillion earlier. But the projection is not yet finalised as the commission needs to revisit economic growth projections, which are used as the basis for energy consumption forecasts.

The commission, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, ordered yesterday that the power consumption between 2009 and 2015 under the 15-year power development plan which ends in 2021 conform to the economic slump. Revisions for consumption between 2016 and 2021 will be conducted later after new economic projections are completed.

Energy Minister Wanarat Channukul said the latest projection indicated that power generation in 2021 would be 51,792 megawatts, an addition of 30,155 megawatts from 2008.

The increase would be supplied by the Energy Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) providing 11,769 megawatts, 6,000 MW from large power producers, 1,985 MW from small power producers, 546 MW from very small power producers, 5,037 MW from neighbouring countries and 4,800 MW from new projects. The nation would lose 7,502 MW from old plants that need to be replaced.

The commission also approved EGAT to purchase power from alternative energy sources in a bid to conform to a plan to include alternative energy in its plans in 12 years.

In order to promote domestic power generation, the government will postpone power purchases from Laos for two years and from large producers for one year.

Mr Wanarat said alternative energy purchased in 2021 would be 5,604 MW. However, the cost of investment for alternative energy would increase from fuel energy, thus power fees would increase by 8.3 satang per unit.

By Bangkok Post

March 10, 2009

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