Thailand to buy more electricity from neighbours

BANGKOK, November 22 (TNA) - The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (EGCO) have jointly announced their readiness to respond to the government’s policy on increasing electricity imports from neighboring countries, from 10,000 megawatts to 20,000 megawatts, for the sake of national energy security. EGCO President Sahust Pratuknukul said on Thursday, as Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal plans to raise Thailand's power imports from hydropower and coal-fired plants in neighboring Myanmar and Laos, the policy will result in national energy security and the Thai private sector's increased investment in new power plants. EGCO has a stake in the Xayaburi power plant in Laos, which is contracted to start supplying power to Thailand in October 2019, but Sahust foresaw that the power supply from the Xayaburi power plant could begin sooner. EGAT Governor Sutat Patmasiriwat acknowledged, meanwhile, that the purchase of electricity from the neighboring countries would help cut power costs, as Thailand's gas reserves have dropped and the country would have to rely more on liquefied natural gas, which are priced double as much and should raise the electricity fee for local households and buildings to as much as six baht per unit. However, the governor of the state-run EGAT suggested that power imports from neighboring countries should not exceed 25 per cent of Thailand's overall electricity generating capacity; otherwise, the country would be at risk in case there was any political problem between Thailand and a neighboring country. (TNA)