Egat assures sufficient reserves

 Installed capacity as of end-2011 was up 1.7 per cent from the previous year to 31,446.7 megawatt, he said. 
 Of total, 14,998.13MW comes from Egat's power plants; 12,081.69MW from independent power producers (IPPs); 2,182.30MW from small power producers (SPPs), and 2,184.60MW from overseas power producers. In terms of fuel types, 67.03 per cent is natural gas, followed by coal (18.65 per cent) and hydropower/renewable energy.

Sutat attributed the frequent peaks this year to increasing temperature and recovery in the manufacturing sector. At the seventh peak registered on April 26 when temperature was as high as 38.5 degree celcius, demand spiked to 26,121MW.

"Still, energy security is maintained with reserves of about 3,000MW," he said. "But all should lend a hand in cutting down usage."
 In a statement that marks the state enterprise's 43rd anniversary this year, Sutat expects power demand to increase by 5-6 per cent this year, in line with the economic growth forecast.
  Under the power development plan (2012-2019), new power supply totalling 3,883.7MW will enter the system. This will be generated by the fourth generator at Wang Noi Power Plant (768.7MW); the second generator at Chana Power Plant (782.2MW); the second generator of North Bangkok Power Plant (800MW); the first generator of its clean coal-fired power plant (800MW); and 732.8MW from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydropower and biomass.
 During the year, Egat will also buy 4,400MW from IPPs, 6,430.5MW from SPPs, and 4,012MW from six power projects in Laos including Xayaburi and Hongsa Lignite (expansion phase). 
 "Aside from our core objective to maintain power security, Egat places emphasis on social and environmental conservation. This year, we will launch the Sirikit Watershed project to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen's 80th birthday," Sutat said.