FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Energy Talk: Renewable Energy Focus By EGCO

Energy Talk: Renewable Energy Focus By EGCO

Part 6: World Class Standard Hydropower Plant

               Hydropower is a type of renewable energy which can be used to be fuel of electricity generation. In ASEAN, Laos is the most potential country in electricity generation from hydropower because of its terrain which has abundant water resources.

               Nowadays, Laos has overall electricity generation capacity from hydropower about 3,200 MW. Two thirds of that amount have been exported to neighboring countries which Thailand is the biggest buyer. However, Laos has such potential to extend its capacity up to 24,000 MW.

               EGCO Group, one of Thailand’s biggest Independent Power Producers, jointly invested in the ASEAN’s largest hydroelectric power plant called “Nam Theun 2”. It is owned by a consortium comprising EGCO Group (35%), Electricité de France or EDF (40%) and a state-owned company Lao Holding State Enterprise (25%).

               Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric power plant located in Khammouane Province, central Laos, started commercial operation and supplied electricity to the system in 2010. It has total installed capacity of 1,070 MW from 6 turbines. While 95% of electricity generated has been sold to Thailand and the remains of 5% have been used within Laos.

               The distinctive points of Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric power plant are as follows: ASEAN’s largest hydroelectric power plant; garnering support from public, private along with international organizations such as Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) etc.; the model for hydroelectric power plant with international management standards of design, construction, environmental management and community development.

               Moreover, it has indirectly contributed to the reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission about 3.19 million tons of CO₂ per year or around 79 million tons of CO₂ throughout the whole 25-year contract.

               Of course, the success story of Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric power plant reflects many aspects to Thailand - helping strengthen national power security and showing private sector’s potential in developing and managing the international standard power plant in foreign country which can be used to be the fundamental of other cooperation as well as business opportunities in the future.

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