New SPP bidding round for 2,000 MW due soon
The Energy Ministry expects to open a new round of small power producer (SPP) licence bids for combined output of 2,000 megawatts within one to two months, says Viraphol Jirapraditkul, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo).
The winning bidders will supply electricity to the power grid starting between 2015 and 2021.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is seeking capacity of 2,000 MW in the central and eastern regions to make up for delays in two independent power producer (IPP) plants that are facing opposition from communities.
The IPP projects of National Power Supply and Siam Energy Co have postponed their operational schedules by two years to 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) needs to set up 11 coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 8,400 MW by 2030. Egat might not be able to build them in time because they will need environmental and health impact assessments, said Mr Viraphol.
Chawalit Chantararat, managing director of the water resources business unit of Team Consulting Engineering and Management Co, said there was business potential for 1,600 MW in hydropower projects in Thailand, but opposition from environmental and community activist groups was a drawback. As well, many of the best sites are in reserved forest areas.
“Our potential is in neighbouring countries such as
Of the 21 projects that have potential with a combined capacity of 5,859 MW, two hydropower projects have already signed memoranda of understanding, including the Hutgyi project (600 MW) and Tasang (900 MW) in Burma.
Italian-Thai Development Plc holds the concession, with Team Consulting as the adviser. The project will be completed in 2017.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/192949/new-spp-bidding-round-for-2000-mw-due-soon
