Myanmar's temporary gas supply suspension not affect users in Thailand

BANGKOK, February 10 (TNA) - The Ministry of Energy assures that power supplies in Thailand will remain intact despite a temporary gas supply suspension from Myanmar later this month. Twarath Sutabutr, Director-General of the ministry's Energy Policy and Planning Office, told journalists on Wednesday that gas production in Myanmar’s Yadana Field will undergo maintenance during February 20-23, but PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), Thailand's largest petroleum firm, and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) have already prepared plans to cope with the situation. Twarath noted that during upcoming long public holidays in Thailand from February 20 to 22, peak demand for electricity is estimated at 24,000 megawatts and that on February 23, when people come back to work, is at about 25,998 megawatts, while Thailand's power generating capacity stands at 36,733 megawatts. Twarath acknowledged that maintenance at Myanmar's Yadana gas field should affect Thailand's power production by 3,394 megawatts. To cope with the situation, the senior official revealed, the North Bangkok Power Plant will use eastern gas supplies to serve metropolitan areas, while Laos will be asked to fully utilize capacities at its dams during the period and Thai power plants affected by the Yadana maintenance will switch to diesel and fuel oil. According to the senior official, fuel oil will be reserved for five-day power production and diesel will be reserved for at least three day, which should be enough for running local power plants during the temporary gas suspension period. (TNA)