Social and environmental management

The construction of Chana Power Plant consisted of various process of land acquisition, mass relations, environmental impact assessment (EIA), preparation for tender, purchasing, design, production, transport of equipment, installation of gas turbine generators, boiler, steam turbine generators, electrical equipment and control system, and machine testing.

The power plant started to conduct the environmental impact assessment (EIA) on June 18, 2004. The report was approved by the National Environment Board on April 19, 2005. The National Economic and Social Development Council agreed with the project on April 28, 2005 and the Cabinet gave approval to the project on June 7, 2005. The power plant construction began until its completion and started the commercial operation date on July 15, 2008.

Regarding community participation, prior to the project implementation, the community participated in the public hearing and was involved in several measures in the EIA report. Moreover, the community participated in the project through the following 5 committees and trilateral working groups:

1. Joint committee on monitoring of the community environmental development
2. Working group on community involvement and screening community development plan (Chaired by Chana Chief District Officer)
3. Working group on monitoring of water pumping in Khlong Phoma and wastewater quality in Klong Bang Ped (Chaired by Senior Officer Chana District Chief)
4. Team of environmental inspectors of Chana Power Plant (Chaired by Director of Regional Environment Office 16)
5. Environment volunteers (4 EGAT representatives and 4 representatives of the community).

Members of the 5 committees and working groups comprise advisors, local philosophers, and representatives of the community.

During the construction, the amount of 5.1 million Bath per year was allocated by EGAT for development of the quality of life of the surrounding community. The amount of 500,000 Bath was allocated annually to 5 inner Sub-districts, namely Klong Pia Sub-district, Pa Ching Sub-district, Taling Chan Sub-district, Na Tub Sub-district, and Cha Nong Sub-district. The amount of 280,000 Bath per year was allocated to other 9 outer Sub-districts. The community was responsible for the project proposal and the fund management such as the expenditure for educational equipment and computer, compensation of the Mullah, construction of the child development center and public park, and mosque renovation.   

Moreover, promotion and development of the occupation suitable for the community and uses of local raw materials have been carried out so that the community will have sustainable occupation and can develop their products further. Examples of occupational promotion are Ban Khuan Hua Chang’s bird cage, Ban Na Tub’s shrimp paste etc.

In addition, about 1 million aquatic animals are released into Khlong Na Tub annually. EGAT has conducted several activities which are of public benefit such as presentation of EGAT scholarship, Wan Kaew project, mobile medical unit, youth camp, and other activities of public interest.