Community and Social Development 

Recognizing that its core mission of electricity generation and transmission, including the construction and expansion of power plants, transmission lines and high-voltage substations, as well as coal mining, may raise concerns or have potential impacts on communities, EGAT places great importance on community engagement, impact assessment and collaborative development of communities and society as a whole. 

Target for 2024 Performance 
● ≥40% of assessed key community projects achieved SROI > 2 ● 40% of assessed key community projects achieved SROI > 2 

Community Engagement  

EGAT engages with communities through various approaches, including dialogues, joint meetings, public forums and site visits. These activities aim to communicate and foster understanding of EGAT’s operations, while also providing opportunities to listen to the concerns, needs and opinions of communities potentially affected by its projects. EGAT works collaboratively with stakeholders to identify appropriate solutions. Additionally, EGAT conducts surveys to assess community attitudes toward its operations, including awareness and understanding of project necessity, project details and overall satisfaction with participation in EGAT-led activities. The insights gathered are used to improve operational processes. 

Impact Assessment 

EGAT conducts impact assessments using scientific methodologies to forecast potential environmental effects of project development. These assessments cover impacts on natural resources, the economy, society and public health. EGAT proposes preventive measures, environmental mitigation strategies, monitoring protocols and environmental action plans for both construction and operational phases of its projects. 

Impact Management 

EGAT manages the impacts of its operations on surrounding communities through various initiatives. 

For communities affected by the construction of electricity transmission infrastructure, EGAT organizes public meetings to disseminate information regarding land acquisition. These meetings are held prior to any acquisition activities to ensure landowners and stakeholders understand their legal rights. Compensation for land and property is provided in accordance with the Energy Industry Act B.E. 2550 (2007), along with additional assistance based on EGAT’s internal regulations concerning support for those affected by power plant and transmission system construction. EGAT also allocates budgets to support community-initiated projects, improve local infrastructure and facilities and promote cultural preservation in each locality. 

In coal mining areas, EGAT implements strict source-based control measures to minimize environmental impacts on nearby communities. These include rigorous standards for dust, odor, noise, vibration and water quality, often exceeding legal requirements. EGAT continuously enhances its environmental control measures throughout the concession period. Community representatives are invited to participate in environmental monitoring activities. Surveys conducted in the Mae Moh mining area show that community trust and confidence in EGAT’s environmental management exceed established benchmarks. 

Displacement Management  

EGAT has implemented measures to address the concerns of residents in five villages located in Mae Moh District, Lampang Province, in accordance with the Cabinet resolution dated October 15, 2013. The relocation of residents from five villages, Ban Hua Fai Village 1, Ban Dong Village 2, Ban Suan Pa Mae Moh Village 7, Ban Hua Fai Lai Thung Village 8 in Ban Dong Subdistrict, and Ban Huai King Village 6 in Mae Moh Subdistrict, was carried out to alleviate the impact caused by EGAT’s lignite mining operations. 

The relocation plan spans from 2014 to 2025, affecting a total of 1,458 individuals. Importantly, the relocation is voluntary. Those who choose not to relocate may continue residing in their original area, with a memorandum of understanding signed between EGAT and the residents who opt to stay, acknowledging mutual agreement. As of 2024, 1,311 individuals have relocated, while 147 have withdrawn from the relocation process. 

To support the relocation, EGAT approved compensation payments for land and property based on the standard rates set by the Royal Irrigation Department, as announced by the committee overseeing the relocation of the five villages. A total of seven compensation rounds has been conducted, covering 900 individuals. By 2024, compensation had been paid to 894 individuals, representing 99.66% of the total. The remaining six cases are under legal review. 

Additionally, EGAT has allocated land for relocated residents, constructed essential infrastructure and public utilities, promoted the preservation of local customs, traditions, and culture, and initiated various development projects within the area. 

Community Development  

EGAT has several important projects to promote community, social and environmental development as follows: 

EGAT Biological Way of Life Project 

EGAT has further developed the model community based on the philosophy of Sufficiency Economy according to the guidelines on EGAT Biological Way of Life to be a registered community enterprise so that the community’s members can have continuously stable income with productivity complying with the market standard (Organic Agriculture Standard) and produce safe food. Their quality of life will be upgraded leading to sustainable development in accordance with EGAT strategic objectives. 

In 2024, in the assessment of the community’s potential, 5 communities were supported to be registered as community enterprises, namely 

  • Ban Tub Sai Organic Agriculture Community Enterprise, Krabi Province  
  • Wieng Kao Organic Agriculture Community Enterprise, Khon Kaen Province  
  • Ban Mae Lua Organic Agriculture Community Enterprise, Phrae Province  
  • Ban Klong Thom Tai Organic Agriculture Community Enterprise, Krabi Province  
  • Surassada Phirom Organic Agriculture Community Enterprise, Surat Thani Province 
Project of Khok Nong Na Model, the New Way to Social Development toward Sustainability 

EGAT has integrated the implementation of the project of Khok Nong Na Model, the New Way to Social Development toward Sustainability with the project of Agri-Nature Network of River Basin (the location of 7 EGAT’s dams with royal names and 3 power plants). The 10 EGAT Sufficiency Economy Study and Development Centers offered training courses in agricultural development toward sufficiency economy for the youth, people, communities and network around the areas before expanding further to other river basins countrywide. 

In 2024, the number of participants in the training programs was 1,374 among which 405 persons (29.5 %) has further developed the knowledge obtained from the training. 10 models (of areas/communities/ role model) (accumulated) were achieved from the application of Khok Nong Na Model. 

Pan Sang (Light Sharing) Innovation Project: Social Activities under the Transmission Lines 

EGAT, in collaboration with the community of Ban Non Yang, Khwao Subdistrict, Selaphum District, Roi Et Province, has transformed areas near high-voltage transmission lines into zones for sustainable agriculture. This initiative includes the development of smart farming systems, featuring semi-transparent solar greenhouses and solar-powered water pumping systems for agricultural plots. These innovations have created a favorable environment for cultivating high-quality economic crops, leading to the establishment of a stable community enterprise that enhances farmers’ income and reduces degraded forest areas near transmission lines. 

In 2024, the project was further advanced by registering as a social enterprise group. This development added value to local products and improved competitiveness while preserving local identity. Agricultural products are processed using community-sourced raw materials and resources, such as kale powder, crispy sweet potatoes, and corn milk. Additional product information is available on the Facebook page: “วิสาหกิจชุมชนกลุ่มเกษตรกรปลูกพืชผักใต้แนวเขตไฟฟ้าแรงสูงบ้านโนนยาง” (Community Enterprise of Farmers Growing Vegetables Under High-Voltage Transmission Lines – Ban Non Yang) 

Evaluation of the Community Development Projects 

In 2024, EGAT conducted Social Return on Investment (SROI) assessments for key community development projects. These included the “Sufficiency Economy-Based Bio-Way for Sustainability” project in Ban Khuan, Krabi Province; the Learning and Development Center based on the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy at Vajiralongkorn Dam, Kanchanaburi Province; the Energy Management Systems project; the Organic Farming project; and the Organic Waste Value-addition project using black soldier fly larvae. 

Among the assessed projects, 40% demonstrated an SROI greater than 2 times, reflecting a strong social impact relative to the investment made. 

Operations with local community engagement, impact assessments, and development programs  
Item202420232022
 Coverage (%)   100 100 100