RATCH joins biomass power plant venture

Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding (RATCH) announced that it would take a 40-per-cent stake in Songkhla Biofuel Co, in which Precise Power Producer Co holds a 40-per-cent shareholding and Assiddeek Savings Cooperative 20 per cent.
Songkhla Biofuel, which has registered capital of Bt 1 million, will supply biofuel to the Songkhla Biomass Power Station in Chana district, Songkhla province.
Noppol Milinthanggoon, chief executive officer of RATCH, said the joint venture would secure the operations of the station by removing the risk of a fuel shortage. The company will guarantee supply of about 300-370 tonnes of biomass residues per day, which will be used as the station’s fuel source.
Biomass residues are the organic by-products of the food, forestry, agricultural and other industries that rely on plants. Residues such as rubber-tree wood and roots are abundant in the southern provinces, which are home to many rubber plantations. A thorough study of the raw-material supply indicated that residues would be available in adequate quantities to serve the facility throughout the life of the project.
“We are confident that fuel sources for the Songkhla Biomass Power Station will be secured, while power generation will be stable and consistent. In addition, biomass helps reduce use of fossil fuel for power generation in accordance with the government’s policy,” Noppol said.
More important, the project has been accepted by and gained cooperation from members of the local community because they are aware of the benefits not only to the community, but also to the country as a whole, he said.
The 9.9-megawatt power station has been granted a Bt1.30 “adder tariff” per unit from the Power Depart-ment Fund Management Division of the Energy Regulatory Commission for seven years.
The project is valued at about Bt600 million.