The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand plans to repower two existing units of the Mae Moh coal-fired power plant in Lampang.(Photo: bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thestate-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) started publichearings with stakeholders and local communities on July 13 so as to resumeoperations of two existing units of Mae Moh coal-fired power plant in Lampangprovince.
The authority is financing37 billion THB (over 1 billion USD) to repower units 8 and 9 in Mae Mohdistrict, which have a combined power capacity of 540 MW. It is planning toupgrade the capacity to 660 MW, expecting the two repowered units will havehigher efficiency, less fuel consumption and lower emissions.
Units 8 and 9 are runningon standby mode, and two power generators under the units will bedecommissioned in 2022.
TLT Consultants wasappointed to conduct the public hearings to make an environmental and healthimpact assessment report. EGAT plans to finish the process by the end of July.
The repowering plan for theMae Moh power plant is in line with the new version of the national powerdevelopment plan during 2018-2037 to maintain power security in the northernand upper-central regions.
According to EGAT’s deputygovernor for policy and planning Patana Sangsriroujana, the repowering plantbudget increase from 35 billion THB to 37 billion THB.
Mae Moh isThailand's first coal-fired power plant and has been operated by EGAT since1975. Lignite coal from the Mae Moh basin serves the power plant.
The Mae Mohplant can supply 50 percent of electricity to the north, 30 percent to thecentral region and 20 percent to the Northeast.
Therepowering project will use lignite coal for power generation withultra-supercritical technology, which is the most modern and requires 20percent less fuel for power generation.
Patanasaid that the Mae Moh power plant will be developed in the future as a smartcity with efficient power management.-VNA
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