Community Development
As part of EGAT’s mission in securing the power reliability, it has continually implemented various infrastructure development projects, such as power plant extensions and transmission system maintenance and expansions (high voltage transmission line and high-voltage stations). However, these activities may inevitably cause impacts on or inconvenience to the communities surrounding the projects. For example, certain rights to use or occupy the land around a grid system may be limited or local communities may be affected by dust and wastewater from construction activities. The potential impacts of every EGAT project are assessed in advance in an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, which also identifies mitigation measures to reduce the impacts on communities during project construction and operation phases. For small-scale projects not requiring an EIA report, mitigation measures are strictly implemented by project owners. Moreover, EGAT has measures in place for paying compensation and damages during construction and providing financial aid to those affected by the power grid construction as a remedy for evictions and such construction. In addition, land owners are entitled to file an appeal with the Energy Regulatory Commission within 30 days after receiving a written notice of compensation from EGAT, as per the Energy Regulatory Commission RE: Criteria, Principles and Conditions for Appeals and Consideration of Appeals B.E. 2552 (2009).
Displacement and relocation are impacts that EGAT take seriously and try to prevent, especially in protected areas (e.g. Class 1A watersheds and non-hunting areas), community areas, and sensitive areas (e.g. temples, schools, and religious places). In addition to managing direct impacts on communities from project activities, EGAT has regularly communicated with the public in compliance with its corporate communication plan and upheld our responsibilities towards communities and society. EGAT is committed to developing and implementing projects to benefit communities, which is one of the key stakeholders, in line with its sustainable development policy, the Fifth National Strategy on Green Growth Development, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Social engagement procedures with the neighboring communities have been established in all of EGAT operating areas, accounting for 100 percent, in the context of community engagement, impact assessment, and community development projects.
Community Relations in the Area of Power Development Projects
Under the concept of “EGAT for All” and “EGAT, Community’s Friend,” EGAT continues to build good relations with all sectors through communication, knowledge-sharing efforts, and community involvement coupled with the development of quality of life, and promotion of sustainable occupation. The purposes are to build confidence in EGAT’s operations and promote participation and cooperation of all sectors, leading to the acceptance and support of EGAT’s new power projects. Participation and cooperation from every sector will play an important role in mobilizing sustainable development.
In 2024, EGAT conducted the following community relations activities in the area of thermal power development projects comprising North Bangkok Power Plant, South Bangkok Power Plant, Phun Phin Power Plant, Nam Phong Power Plant, and in the areas of renewable power plant projects at all EGAT Dams.
• Creating Knowledge and Understanding
EGAT organized community relations activities by focusing on communication of EGAT’s mission and power project development and building relations with all sectors of stakeholders. The activities comprised, for example, empirical study tour, mobile relations meeting, and participation in EGAT’s project development of stakeholders such as heads of government organizations, executives of local administration units, local leaders, executives of educational institutions and public health organizations, as well as communities in the area of EGAT’s power projects. Public hearings were also organized to collect useful comments for EGAT’s project development and the improvement of quality of life of the communities around project areas.
• Promoting Relations and Networking
EGAT promoted participatory community activities to strengthen relationships with networks in the public and civil sectors by organizing and supporting activities in education, public health, culture and traditions, and quality of life development. For example, EGAT provided “EGAT Namjai” drinking water and lunchboxes for community activities in EGAT’s project areas.
• Developing Quality of Life and Occupation
EGAT enhanced the quality of life of communities based on the Circular Economy, developed resources to meet the needs of communities, and promoted occupation which generated income and benefits to the target groups.
• Enhancing Digital Media Skills to Generate Income for Communities
EGAT provided digital knowledge to stakeholders and community enterprises in EGAT’s project development areas, including online marketing, tips for taking attractive product photos, and Facebook Live Streaming. These efforts aimed to expand sales channels and promote the use of technologies to support local livelihoods in line with the present trend.
• Renovating, Changing, Sharing, and Planting in School Playgrounds
With the cooperation of all units of EGAT and its employees, EGAT renovated, developed, and painted playground equipment and built vegetable greenhouses for schools in EGAT’s project development areas. These activities aimed to transform the school playgrounds into safe, complete recreational spaces which support students’ learning and development.