Thai Govt urges public to save power: Myanmar’s gas-field shutdowns

BANGKOK, March 21 (TNA) -- Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee has asked the public to save power in April when Myanmar will temporarily suspend its gas supplies from three gas fields to Thailand for maintenance. Narongchai said his ministry has prepared several measures to cope with the temporary suspension of gas supplies from Myanmar including asking the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the PTT Public Co., Ltd. to refrain from any maintenance on electricity plants during the next month period. Myanmar has informed Thailand that it would close Yadana and Yetagun gas fields between April 10 -19 while Zawtika M9 gas field would be closed for maintenance between April 20 – 27. The disruption will cut one-fourths of daily gas supplies used for electricity production (1,530 million cubic feet/day) in Thailand. Electricity usage in Thailand is also expected to rise next month, when the summer season arrives. Narongchai said he is confident that there would be sufficient electricity supplies in Thailand during the period and assured the public that there would not be power outage next month. He said he has asked the ministry’s personnel to prepare equipment on standby to cope with any blackout which might affect the people. Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Energy Areepong Bhoocha-oom urged the peple as well as industrial operators to help save electricity during the maintenance by Myanmar, especially between the peak hours of consumption from 1.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. daily. (TNA)