EGAT supports clean power and prepares to supply electricity from Hydro-Floating Solar Hybrid in Sirindhorn Dam this October
9 August 2021EGAT rushed to move forward with the Hydro-Floating Solar Hybrid Project in Sirindhorn Dam, Ubon Ratchathani Province to support the clean power trend. Its first synchronization to the grid occurred on July 30, 2021 and it is expected to begin commercial operation in October 2021 along with the swiftly constructed nature walkway which will be a new check-in point for tourists early next year.
Mr. Prasertsak Cherngchawano, EGAT Deputy Governor – Power Plant Development and Renewable Energy revealed that the floating solar power combined with the hydropower of Sirindhorn Dam in Ubon Ratchathani Province, or the Hydro-Floating Solar Hybrid Project in Sirindhorn Dam with the capacity of 45 MW had completed the installation of all seven sets of floating solar panels in Sirindhorn Dam and the mooring system along with the construction of the switchgear building. It was synchronized to the power grid for the first time on July 30, 2021 and it is expected to begin commercial operation in October 2021.
At the same time, EGAT is quickly constructing the “Nature Walkway” to be a new check-in point and tourist attraction in Ubon Ratchathani Province, where the largest hydro-floating solar hybrid project in the world can be seen closely from a high angle. It is currently in the process of adjusting the surrounding landscape and constructing a multipurpose building for giving tourist information before entering the nature walkway. It will be open to the public in January 2022 and is expected to help support and stimulate the tourism of the province and also create revenue for the community. During the construction, EGAT has hired raft, boat, and jet ski entrepreneurs in the vicinity to be used in the construction, including renting the rafts as accommodation for the workers which will help create revenue for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total value of employment in the area is over 30 million baht, which can stimulate the overall economy of the province.
As for the Hydro-Floating Solar Hybrid Project in Sirindhorn Dam, it is the largest hybrid project in the world that combines floating solar power and hydropower from dams. It can generate electricity from clean power between “solar power” and “hydropower.” The solar cells will generate electricity on days with efficient light intensity and will use hydropower on days with insufficient light intensity, or during nighttime, in order to decrease the uncertainty of renewable power which usually depends on the weather, making it possible to generate electricity continuously for a long time.
The floating solar panels and other devices of this power plant were installed by using approximately 450 rai of water surface area that amounts to less than one percent of the total reservoir area. It uses double glass solar panels, which are highly resistant to moisture and does not contaminate the water. Moreover, the mooring system is made from HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) which is the same material used in water supply pipelines and therefore safe for the environment and aquatic animals. More importantly, the Hydro-Floating Solar Hybrid Project in Sirindhorn Dam will decrease greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions around 47,000 tons/year, which will help solve the global warming problem.
Meanwhile, EGAT is continuing to develop many hydro-floating solar hybrid projects in the area of EGAT dams nationwide with the total capacity of 2,725 MW as well as considering the capacity of more than 5,000 MW. This is an important beginning for EGAT to move towards a truly carbon-neutral society in the future.