Thailand?s EGAT to import 2.5 million tons of coal from Indonesia: Report

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) plans to import 2.5 million tons of coal per year from Indonesia to prepare for coal-fired power plants to be built in the future, Bangkok Post reported Tuesday.

 

A memorandum of understanding will soon be signed with coal miners in Indonesia to pave the way for pit opening and infrastructure development, according to deputy governor Payap Pongpiradom.

 

EGAT is required under the 2007 power development plan to build a 700-megawatt coal-fired power plant by 2014.

 

Several countries with coal including Vietnam, Japan and Indonesia, have offered to sell coal to EGAT. However, EGAT will import the fuel from any country so long as the quality and price meet its criteria.

 

EGAT may import coal from Indonesia since the quality is acceptable and the country is not far from Thailand. Coal from Indonesia can be shipped to Thailand in volumes of at least 100,000 tons per trip which can help reduce freight costs.

 

EGAT is speeding up the conclusion of the appropriate sites for the coal-fired power plants within two years so that the first can be built and start operating by the 2014 schedule.

 

''We have many ideal sites in mind, be it the coastal areas along the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. Thap Sakae district in Prachuap Khiri Khan is an interesting site for the coal-fired power plant.'' he said. (*)