Measures prepared for Myanmar’s reduced gas supply to Thailand

BANGKOK, April 4 (TNA) - State-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) says it has prepared measures to ensure sufficient electricity supply in the country during a temporary reduction of gas supply to Thailand by Myanmar later this month. Suthon Boonprasong, deputy governor of EGAT, told journalists that Myanmar will reduce natural gas supplies to Thailand from its two gas fields for maintenance. The Yadana gas field will reduce daily gas supply to Thailand between April 10 -19 by about 980 million cubic feet/day while Zawtika M9 gas field will reduce natural gas supplies to 420 from 980 million cubic feet/day. Suthon said the planned reduction would affect six Thai electricity generating plants, all locating on the western side of the country. It is projected that electricity consumption would reach its peak at approximately 27,500 megawatts but people should not worry because EGAT has prepared three measures to cope with the planned reduction of natural gas supplies from Myanmar, he said. The three measures include a cooperation between EGAT and another plant in producing electricity, cooperate with hydro-powered electricity plant in Laos in buying more electricity from it and using more bunker and diesel oil in producing electricity in substitution of the Myanmar ‘s natural gas, Suthon said. Several power agencies including the Energy Ministry and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority have now urged every sector to help in conserving energy along with using the so-called ‘Demand Response’ during the peak consumption of electricity in the country. (TNA)