Egat to import more electricity from Laos

• 2 years ago (2021-08-09)
• David Flin

Asia 847 Hydropower 111 Transmission 181

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The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has said that it plans to import an additional 1200 MW from hydroelectric plants in Laos under a long-term power purchase contract. Egat earlier signed an MOU with the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) to buy a total of 9000 MW.

Jiraporn Sirikum, Deputy Governor of Egat, said that Egat’s current power supply stands at 10 200 MW.

Eight power plants in Laos with a combined capacity of 5420 MW are committed to exporting electricity to Egat. Seven of them, with a capacity of 3947 MW, are hydroelectric power plants, while the eighth is a 1473 MW coal-fired power plant.

The import of more power from “clean” resources is in line with the plan of the Thai government to decrease its dependence on electricity generated by fossil fuels.

MEM has held talks with Egat on its proposal to build 10 new hydroelectric plants across Laos. The Lao government and Egat may consider some projects they consider the most suitable and plan for the upgrading of Egat’s transmission system.