Chiang Rai – Conservationists complain..The government reiterated before the dissolution of the parliament, allowing EGAT to sign the purchase of electricity from the Mekong River Dam in Lao PDR, 100 kilometers away from Chiang Khan, contrary to the backup power supply in the country where more than 50% of people are made. Thailand pays more electricity bills
After Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited or GULF has notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand that on March 20, 2023, Pak Lay Power Company Limited, a joint venture GULF and SHK Sinohydro, a subsidiary of POWERCHINA, a Chinese state-owned enterprise established to operate the Pak Lay Hydroelectric Power Plant project has signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with EGAT.
Mr. Hannarong Yaowalert, President of Integrated Water Management Foundation Said he was very disappointed with the resignation before the dissolution of the House of Representatives of this government. Because over the past 10 years, the public sector has protested against this project. from the start of the public hearing process and according to the Procedures for Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement (PNPCA) as stipulated by the Mekong River Commission (MRC).
Including sending letters of protest to various agencies continuously involved such as the government, the Prime Minister, the Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman of the National Energy Board EGAT and also complained to the Commission (Km. T.) in the House of Representatives
In the issue that Thailand does not need to rush to sign a power purchase agreement from abroad during this 10-year period because there is more than 50% of the backup power, the purchase is known to be one of the reasons. that makes electricity prices in Thailand more expensive Until affecting all Thai people who have to bear the burden in the long term
“Really disappointed. with this government that has thrown up the electricity bill for the people Buying more electricity from two dams on the Mekong River, Pak Lay and Luang Prabang. begs the question Isn’t this government supporting and contributing to the energy business until it neglects the burden of taking care of people’s cost of living? which is something that the government should take care of and control when there is a situation where the electricity bill is the highest in this government
“This case reflects that the Energy Regulatory Commission Energy policy committee chaired by the Prime Minister Ignore the protests of the public and various parties. does not protect the interests of the people in the slightest, “said Mr. Hannarong, and therefore again urges that such power purchases must be reviewed and to slow down or cancel both PPA projects, including having a policy to take care of people not to let them bear the burden of carrying the energy business, including terminating contracts that are bound
The Pak Lay Dam is under construction in Xayaburi Sub-district, approximately 100 kilometers from Chiang Khan District, Loei Province, with an electrical power generation capacity of 770 megawatts, in which GULF holds 40 percent and SHK holds 60 percent. The contract period is 29 years, the average electricity rate is 2.6989 baht per kilowatt per hour. and is scheduled to open for commercial operation on January 1, 2032.
Before the dissolution of the House of Representatives EGAT used to have a letter to the Thai people’s network in 8 provinces of the Mekong River Basin. clarification on the status of the Pak Lay Dam Luang Prabang Dam Luang Prabang Province and Pak Lai Dam, Udom Chai Province, that in the case of the Luang Prabang Dam, an electric power purchase was signed on November 7, 2022, and in the case of the Pak Beng-Pak Lai Dam, a cross-border impact study report was prepared in 2022. 2015 and 2020, as well as conducting additional cross-border environmental impact studies.
While EGAT’s website states that as of January 31, 2023, Thailand has a total power generation capacity of 49,114.80 megawatts, with the highest demand in the same month (January 12, 2023). is equal to 25,895.60 megawatts, a decrease of 1,229.10 megawatts from the previous month or a decrease of 4.53%
