Thai?s Ratchaburi in talks with Banpu on power plant project in RI

Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc (RATCH), Thailand's largest private power producer, is in talks with Southeast Asia?s leading coal miner Banpu Plc to develop a 40-billion-baht coal-fired power plant in Indonesia as part of its strategy to maintain business growth, according to a report Tuesday.

Chief executive Pongdit Potejana was quoted by the bangkokpost.com as saying the new coal-fired power project is expected to generate 700 MW.

The new possibility in Indonesia is now undergoing a feasibility study for a mine-mouth power plant.

"We've tentatively told Banpu executives that their mine in Indonesia also has great potential to develop a mine-mouth power plant, so we're proceeding with a feasibility study to confirm its viability," said Pongdit. "If it's worth investing in, we'll venture developing that project."

The study is expected to be completed by this year. (*)