Egat, Burma to sign deal
The Nation.
Published on Dec 06 , 2005
Egat Plc is set to ink an agreement with the Burmese electricity authority on Friday to form a joint venture to construct at least five hydropower plants in Burma with a combined capacity of 10,000 megawatts.
CEO Kraisi Karnasuta said yesterday that the energy ministers of the two countries would witness the signing ceremony. The memorandum of understanding will encourage the JV to put up a hydropower plant at the Wegyi Dam in Burma.
The project will spin off mutual benefits. Both countries will enjoy energy security and Thailand can import electricity from Burma at a low cost.
The dam is located on a stretch of the Salaween River across from Tak, Kraisi said. Total capacity of the power plant is planned for 1,200MW.
Egat will approach prospective investors both in Thailand and abroad to join in the project, which is expected to take five to six years to complete.
China has already expressed interest, he said. Allying with China would reduce construction costs as it can move equipment that was used on building a dam in Burma near their border.
Thailand and Burma will co-invest in constructing other hydropower plants on the Salaween. The second plant will be located opposite Prachuap Khiri Khan province, with a capacity of 600MW.
The output will be supplied directly to the Sahaviriya Steel mill in the province.
The whole scheme of five hydropower plants along the Salaween will ensure energy security in the Asean region. |
