EGAT’s 54th Anniversary: moving towards low-carbon trend, increasing reliance on local resources, and aiming to be energy solutions provider
5 May 2022EGAT hastily boosts the share of renewable energy generation to achieve its carbon neutrality goal, focuses on local resource reliance to reduce fuel cost, and aims to be a full-service energy solutions provider to meet the diversity in power users’ needs.
On May 1, 2022, EGAT’s 54th Anniversary, Mr. Boonyanit Wongrukmit, Governor of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) stated that due to the energy crisis and global clean energy transition to achieve carbon neutrality, EGAT is accelerating the increase of renewable energy generation to rely on local resources, reduce the import of expensive fuel, and ensure the adequacy of power supply. One of the major projects is the hydro–floating solar hybrid project, piloted at Sirindhorn Dam in Ubon Ratchathani Province, which can reduce the generation cost, be eco-friendly, and stimulate local economy and tourism. EGAT plans to develop this kind of hybrid project, totaling 2,725 MW within 5-10 years, according to the PDP2018 Rev.1. In 2022, the hybrid project is being developed at Ubol Ratana Dam, Khon Kaen Province, with a generating capacity of 24 MW, and is scheduled to start its commercial operation in 2023. Moreover, EGAT will develop the hybrid projects with the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Vajiralongkorn and Srinagarind Dams in Kanchanaburi Province due to their potential for water supply, BESS installation areas, and power systems with a transmission capacity of 1,100 MW in total.
In the meantime, EGAT is carrying out the Grid Modernization to enhance renewable energy development. In 2022, it expects to install its accurate renewable energy forecast system in 11 power system control centers nationwide. With their commercial operation scheduled this year, the BESS project in Lopburi Province and the two projects of digital substations in Si Sa Ket and Trat Provinces will make power control and supply stable, leading to the development of virtual power plants in the future.
With the diversity in power user’s needs, EGAT is geared up to be a full-service energy solutions provider with the following businesses:
EGAT EV Business: EGAT hasalreadyinstalled 49 “EleX by EGAT” electric vehicle (EV) charging stations nationwide. Within this year, it expects to expand the charging stations to 120 stations to create the EV ecosystem in the country. Besides, EGAT has cooperated with the Provincial Electricity Authority and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority to study the integration of charging stations of each utility into a single platform, EV user’s behavior, demand response, as well as location setting to make the installation cover all area and reduce the redundance of investment.
LNG Business: EGAT accelerates the import of Spot LNG to lessen the fuel cost in power generation of about 500 million Baht during the energy crisis. It also co-invested with PTT in the LNG Receiving Terminal-2 Project at Nong Fab Sub-district, Rayong Province to develop the natural gas system infrastructure and ensure the energy security of the country. The project is expected to be complete within November 2022.
InnoPower Co. Ltd.: The company focuses on energy-related innovations and new S-curve technologies, such as power trading technology and carbon credit trading.
Moreover, EGAT pushes ahead with the implementations under the policy of EGAT Carbon Neutrality to achieve the country’s zero-carbon society goal, including Participatory One-Million-Rai Reforestation Project, Enzy Platform – a smart energy management system, and the Energy Label No. 5 Project, to raise the quality of life of Thai people.
EGAT gets ready to develop the power generation from clean energy while enhancing the energy balance through its operations under the concept “EGAT for ALL.” It also places importance on the benefits of the public and raises the bar of its performance for ensuring sustainable power security, resulting in an advantage for Thailand in the global market.