Thai eyes Indonesian mine-mouth power plant projects

Thailand?s state electricity company EGAT on Sunday in Bangkok signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesian Power, a subsidiary of state electricity firm PLN to look for opportunities to cooperate in developing mine-mouth power plants in Indonesia and Thailand.

EGAT is the operator of a 2,400-minemouth power plant in Northern Thailand, utilizing coal with calorific value as low as 2,500 kcal.

?Even though we haven?t discussed specific project in this MoU, this is a good opportunity for both companies to enter into mine-mouth power plant venture. Indonesia has abundant low-rank coal reserves that could be developed into mine-mouth power plants,? said Firdaus Akmal, Indonesia Power president.

Firdaus said minemouth projects in Indonesia will likely be developed in the central and southern part of Sumatra

Another similar MoU will be signed between Thailand?s energy conglomerate Banpu PCL and Indonesia Power.

?We hope to sign the MoU next month. One of the projects we will be discussing is Asam-Asam II mine-mouth power plant in South Kalimantan. Our team has already visited S. Kalimantan to study the feasibility of the project,? said Leksono Poeranto, Banpu Indonesia?s senior official.

Banpu is already one of Indonesia largest coal producers with producing mines in South and East Kalimantan. (alex)