Egat seals Laos deals
Apr 10, 2008 - Yuthana Praiwan - Bangkok Post
- McClatchy-Tribune Regional News
Thailand - The Electricity Generating Authority
of Thailand (Egat) has signed a memorandum of understanding
with the developers of the Hongsa Lignite power plant
in Laos to buy 1,470 megawatts of electricity, according
to Egat governor Sombat Santijaree.
The developers include SET-listed Banpu Plc and
Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc, holding
40 percent each, and the Laotian government with the
remaining 20 percent.
The group would start the $2.6-billion capital investment
by the end of this year with expected power output
of 490 MW to be available in 2013. An additional 980
MW would come online in 2014. The remaining capacity
of 183 MW would be sold to Laotian utilities.
The developers also have a $2.8-billion lignite mine
nearby in which Banpu and Ratchaburi each hold 37.5
percent and the Laotian government 25 percent. The
Thai partners are talking with a Chinese utility to
hold some ownership and a deal is expected by June.
The power-purchase agreement between Egat and the
developers will be signed by July.
The agreement between Thailand and Laos states that
Laos would sell 7,000 MW to Thailand within the next
10 years. Once the Hongsa plant is in operation, Laos
would sell 5,800 MW to Thailand, up from 313 MW currently
from Theun Hinboun and Huay Ho since 1998 and 1999
respectively.
Laotian power exports to Thailand will increase
significantly between 2009 and 2014 from seven hydropower
plants.
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