Royal Irrigation Department and EGAT collaborate on sustainable water management to generate carbon-free electricity
26 February 2026The Royal Irrigation Department and EGAT have signed three agreements to develop hydropower plants downstream of irrigation dams as clean energy sources, supporting the Net Zero goal while advancing research on water resource management for maximum benefits.
On February 25, 2026, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) signed three agreements with the Royal Irrigation Department, namely 1) Hydropower Plants Downstream of Irrigation Dam Projects at Lam Pao Dam (Kalasin Province), Lamtakong Dam (Nakhon Ratchasima Province), Kraseaw Dam (Suphan Buri Province), and Huai Mae Tho Dam (Tak Province); 2) Hydropower Plants Downstream of Irrigation Dam Projects at Kaeng Krachan Dam (Phetchaburi Province) and Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam (Chiang Mai Province); and 3) Water Management Research and Development Project. Mr. Narin Phoawanich, EGAT Governor, and Mr. Suriyapon Nuchanong, Director General of Royal Irrigation Department, signed the agreements, with Mr. Wipoo Piwat, EGAT Deputy Governor – Generation; Mr. Siriwat Chedsi, EGAT Deputy Governor – Power Plant Development and Renewable Energy; and Mr. Det Lekwichai, Deputy Director General for Operation and Maintenance of Royal Irrigation Department, serving as witnesses for the signing ceremony at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao in Bangkok.
Mr. Suriyapon Nuchanong, Director General of Royal Irrigation Department, revealed that the Royal Irrigation Department is responsible for systematically planning, developing, and managing the country’s water resources to ensure a balanced allocation for agriculture, consumption, and ecosystem preservation, as well as preventing and mitigating floods and droughts at the river basin level. This cooperation with EGAT will maximize the efficiency of national water management by adding value to water already regulated under irrigation plans, while developing the data system of both organizations and advancing water management research to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. The collaboration will strengthen river basin-level planning, promote technical knowledge exchange, and foster innovation to support informed decision-making. Ultimately, it will lead to water security and long-term benefits for the people.
Mr. Narin Phoawanich, EGAT Governor, stated that EGAT places importance on sustainable clean energy transition. Therefore, EGAT has joined with the Royal Irrigation Department to develop the Hydropower Plants Downstream of Irrigation Dam Projects as they utilize clean energy, while maximizing the benefits of existing water resources. This marks a significant step toward integrating water resource management systematically by generating electricity from water released under irrigation plans, enhancing the efficiency of national resource utilization. It also supports low-cost clean energy generation in line with national sustainable energy development directions and helps achieve the goal of Net Zero Emissions.
The Hydropower Plants Downstream of Irrigation Dam Projects at Lam Pao Dam, Lamtakong Dam, Kraseaw Dam, and Huai Mae Tho Dam received in-principle approval from the Cabinet on June 18, 2024, authorizing EGAT to implement the projects in collaboration with the Royal Irrigation Department. These projects will generate 39 million units of electricity per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 15,000 tons annually. Additionally, for existing downstream hydropower plant projects, Kaeng Krachan Dam generates 70 million units of electricity per year, reducing over 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, while Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam generates 28.75 million units per year, cutting emissions by more than 13,000 tons annually. At present, EGAT operates a total of 16 hydropower plants downstream of irrigation dams, with a combined electricity generation of over 660 million units per year, reducing more than 360,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.