Thailand Moves Toward Clean and Renewable Energy

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Like most developing nations, Thailand is hoping to decrease its dependence on petroleum, domestic or otherwise, to generate electricity. In 2006 alone, Thailand spent some US$26 billion on imported energy, and the country obtains one-third of its natural gas imports from neighboring Myanmar and Kraisi. Currently, the price-per-unit of natural gas fluctuates between US$0.12 and US$0.42; but because Thailand is poised to double its power consumption in the near future, the government is debating courses of action.

A proposed route that has been abandoned was to increase imports, include other neighboring countries such as Laos, Burma and China in Thailand's roster. Increasing natural gas imports could have alleviated the country's power need by up to 25%; however, this route would have done little to decrease its carbon footprint. As of now, Thailand is leaning toward a revised Power Development Plan (2010-2030) that could boost the prevalence of renewable energy and alternative energy to 5% and 20% of the country's power consumption, respectively. The Power Development Plan, for the first time in the country's history, has proposed for the inclusion of nuclear energy as well, which would be responsible for at least 10% of power consumption. Decreasing its reliance on petroleum and implementing the revised power plan has the potential to save Thailand US$14 billion and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 42 million tonnes annually as early as 2012. The plan also proposes to increase renewable energy from 5% to 20% during the next 15 years.

Below are a few renewable energy projects that are planned to be brought online in the next seven years:

• Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Nonthaburi, Thailand) plans to invest US$850 million into building the Lata Khong Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Power Station on the Lata Khong River, near Si Khiu in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province of Thailand. Construction is scheduled to commence and conclude between 2012 and 2017. When completed, the plant is expected to generate 1,000 megawatts (MW).
• Wind Energy Holding Company Limited (Bangkok, Thailand), Siemens Wind Power GmbH (NYSE:SI) (Breman, Germany), and Demco Public Company Limited (BAK:DEMCO) (Pathum Thani, Thailand) plan to invest US$400 million into the Huay Bong Windfarm, in the Dan Khun Thot of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province in Thailand. Construction is scheduled to take part in two phases, to be performed between 2010 and 2014. When Phase II is complete, the windfarm is expected to produce a total of 180 MW.
• China Light and Power Group of Thailand (SEHK:2) (Bangkok) and Electric Generating Company Limited (BAK:EGCO) (Bangkok) plan to invest US $300 million in the Lopburi Solar Farm, near Lopburi in Lopburi province. Construction is scheduled to commence next year and conclude in 2012. Once complete, the solar farm is expected to generate 73 MW.

Next year, a feasibility study conducted by Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and Burns & Roe Asia (Bangkok, Thailand), under Burns and Roe Group Incorporated (Oradell, New Jersey), will be submitted to the Council of Ministers of Thailand to determine whether or not Thailand should go nuclear. Between now and then, Thailand plans to work with communities to educate residents in alternative forms of energy. If the strategy is approved, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and Burns & Roe Asia will begin construction of Thailand's first nuclear power plant in 2014. Reactors 1 and 2 are scheduled to be completed in 2020, while 3 and 4 are due to be completed in 2021. When commissioned, the US$6 billion plant is expected to generate 4,000 MW.

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