Hydro-floating Solar Hybrid at Ubol Ratana Dam starts commercial operation, driving Thailand toward Carbon Neutrality
6 March 2024The Hydro-floating Solar Hybrid Project at Ubol Ratana Dam started its commercial operation to enhance clean energy stability and improve the quality of life of communities. 14 more projects will be developed across the country to drive Thailand toward a low-carbon society.
On March 5, 2024, Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum, Deputy Governor – Power Business and Acting Governor of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), revealed that the 24 MW Hydro-floating Solar Hybrid Project at Ubol Ratana Dam in Khon Kaen Province started its commercial operation. On this occasion, Mrs. Liu Hongmei, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Khon Kaen; the project contractor, MPD Consortium comprising Mitr Phol Energy Services Co., Ltd., PEA ENCOM International Co., Ltd., and Dongfang Electric International Corporation; and EGAT executives joined the commercial operation ceremony.
The Hydro-floating Solar Hybrid Project at Ubol Ratana Dam integrates three clean energy sources that are solar energy, hydropower, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). It generates electricity from solar energy during daytime and from hydropower during nighttime; while the BESS will support continual electricity generation during the transition of electricity generation between two energy sources. Moreover, Energy Management System and Weather Forecast System are incorporated to enhance stability of the electricity generation system by dealing with renewable energy limitations. The solar panels cover the water surface less than 1% of the total reservoir area, and they are installed with suitable inclination to allow sunlight to penetrate the water surface without impacting the underwater ecosystem. In addition, the solar panels and floating platforms are made from environmentally friendly materials.
The Hydro-floating Solar Hybrid at Ubol Ratana Dam is EGAT’s second floating solar hybrid project developed in accordance with Thailand’s Power Development Plan B.E. 2561-2580, Revision 1. Under the plan, EGAT will develop 16 floating solar projects at EGAT nine dams with a total installed capacity of 2,725 MW. By generating electricity from clean energy, the projects help reduce CO2 emissions in the generation process, mitigate global warming, comply with the global energy trend, and drive Thailand toward Carbon Neutrality.
In addition, EGAT places importance on the quality of life of people living in the vicinity of Ubol Ratana Dam, where most people are engaged in fishery. EGAT has collaborated with Fisheries Research Center to promote the conservation of aquatic animal species. In each year, many million fish are released into the reservoir. EGAT also supports fish processing career and in the future EGAT plans to develop a solar-powered shrimp farm as the learning center to promote shrimp farming so that the communities can generate income and achieve self-reliance.