Environmental Stewardship
EGAT has undertaken its mission in an environmentally responsible manner to ensure that sound environmental practices are in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. EGAT has continuously implemented environmental management systems according to international standards, such as conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports in order to prevent and mitigate environmental and social impacts. The key environmental issues taken into consideration are as follows:
Study of Environmental Impact of Power Plant Development Projects
Approved Projects
- EIA for the Project of 230 kV Transmission Network and Substation (the part over the areas of watershed classification 1 and additional conservation forest area) for the Bhumibol Dam Floating Solar Project 1: The project was approved by the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment on June 20, 2024 and the National Environment Board (NEB) on November 15, 2024.
- IEE for the Project of 230 kV Khanom – Koh Samui Submarine Cable: The project was approved by the Supervisory and Monitoring Committee on Environmental Protection at the provincial level and the area level on August 26 and 28, 2024, respectively.
- EIA for the Project of Transmission Network to Accommodate Hydropower Plant in Lao PDR (the part over the area of watershed classification 1): The project was approved by the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment on July 11, 2024 and NEB on October 16, 2024.
- EIA for the Project of 230 kV Lamphun 3 – Sop Moei Transmission Network (the part over the area of watershed classification 1): The project was approved by the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment on October 12, 2023 and NEB on April 24, 2024.
- EIA/IEE for the Project of 115 kV Transmission Network for the Vajiralongkorn Dam Floating Solar Project 1 (the part over the areas of watershed classification 1 and additional conservation forest area): The project was approved by the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment on March 7, 2024 and NEB on April 24, 2024.
- CoP/ESA for the Mae Moh Solar Farm Project: The report was examined by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). According to the letter dated November 21, 2024, the project has details and measures that fulfill the requirements of the related regulations.
- Environmental Report of the Lam Takong Dam Hydropower Plant Project: The report was examined by the ERC. According to the letter dated March 12, 2024, the project has details and measures that fulfill the requirements of the related regulations.
- Environmental Report of Lam Pao Dam Hydropower Plant Project: The report was examined by the ERC. According to the letter dated March 12, 2024, the project has details and measures that fulfill the requirements of the related regulations.
- EIA for the Project Detail Changes of Environmental Impact Assessment of North Bangkok Power Plant, Block 2 (2nd Change): The report was acknowledged by the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment on May 2, 2024 and endorsed by NEB on October 16, 2024.
- EIA for the Project Detail Changes of Environmental Impact Assessment of Chana Power Plant, Block 2 (2nd Change): The report was acknowledged by the Expert Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment on May 16, 2024 and endorsed by NEB on October 16, 2024.
Projects under Study Process and Report Preparation
- IEE for the Project of Transmission Network to Accommodate Hydropower Plant in Lao PDR (the part over additional conservation forest area)
- IEE for the Project of 22 kV Transmission Network at the Connection Point of the Nam Phung Dam Floating Solar Project (the part over additional conservation forest area)
- Environmental Report of the Kra Siew Dam Hydropower Plant Project
- Environmental Report of the Huay Mae Toh Dam Hydropower Plant Project
- CoP/ESA for the Project of the Srinagarind Dam Floating Solar Project 1
- CoP/ESA for the Project of the Ubol Ratana Dam Floating Solar Project 2
Remark:
EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment
CoP: Code of Practice
ESA: Environment and Safety Assessment
IEE: Initial Environmental Examination
Greenhouse Gas Management
In 2024, EGAT prepared the EGAT Carbon Neutrality Roadmap, of which the short-term target is CO2 intensity reduction of 30% of the base year (2021), and the long-term target is to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction
The assessment of greenhouse gas emissions (corporate carbon footprint) of EGAT, which covers power plants, the mine, dams, offices, and the transmission system, is conducted with accuracy and transparency, complying with ISO 14064-1:2018. In 2024, the total amount of greenhouse gas emitted directly from EGAT’s operations and indirectly from the energy use (scope 1 and 2) was approximately 34.86 MtCO2eq (under the process of verification by an external auditor). Moreover, the information on corporate greenhouse gas emissions was applied for the eco-efficiency assessment as a guideline for sustainable production and consumption.
For 2024, EGAT set the target for greenhouse gas emissions reduction from EGAT’s operations at 6 MtCO2, which was the target of the Nationally Determined Contributions of Thailand. By implementing several measures, such as electricity generation from renewable energy, efficiency improvement for electricity generation, and standard criteria and the attachment of Label No. 5 for energy efficiency, EGAT could reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by 10.46 MtCO2 (based on the emissions factor of transmission system of 2023).
Furthermore, EGAT has taken part in the greenhouse gas emissions reduction of the industrial sector through the measure of using cement substitutes in ready-mixed concrete and selling fly ash to the cement industry. EGAT has the process of Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The result is being verified by EGAT Committee on Greenhouse Gas Management prior to submitting to the Energy Policy and Planning Office to be collected in the Thailand report.
Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program (T-VER)
In 2024, EGAT obtained carbon credits from Kwae Noi Bumrung Dan Dam Hydropower Plant Project in Phitsanulok Province and EGAT Irrigation Valve Based Micro Hydro Project, Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam in Chiang Mai Province of 137,979 tCO2eq and 4,143 tCO2eq, respectively.
At present, EGAT has 13 registered projects under T-VER. The accumulated carbon credit, which has been verified, totals 943,677 tCO2eq.
Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)
In 2024, EGAT certified RECs totaling 7,496,809 RECs for power producers.
Environmental Quality Monitoring
EGAT has continuously carried out environmental impact prevention and mitigation measures. Besides, EGAT has monitored the environmental impacts such as air quality, noise quality, water quality, water ecosystem, society, economy, and quality of life, as well as waste management. In 2024, EGAT made a 6-month report on the result of implementation of the prevention and mitigation of environmental impact measures and the monitoring of environmental impact measures of its 38 projects to the Office of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, and related regulatory bodies.
From its operations in fulfilling all measures continuously, EGAT received, in the EIA Symposium and Monitoring Awards 2024, several EIA Monitoring Awards 2024 comprising the top award for Mae Moh Lignite Mine and five outstanding awards for Limestone Quarry for Chemical Industry, Chana Power Plant (Block 2), Wang Noi Power Plant (Block 4), North Bangkok Power Plant, and South Bangkok Power Plant (Block 4).
Sustainable Resource Use
EGAT continues to pursue clean and green energy sources by promoting the development and consumption of renewable and alternative energy, ranging from hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. In 2024, a total net energy of 15,712.40 GWh from clean energy sources was produced in EGAT’s power generation system.