Civil organisations yesterday called on the caretaker government not to approve the Power Development Plan (PDP) for the next 15 years, claiming its forecast of energy consumption was unrealistic and it did not promote clean energy.

Although the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) decided to revise its 2006 plan, Kasetsart University economist Decharut Sukkumnoed said the plan was still based on an overestimation of energy demand and did not balance with Thailand's gross domestic product.

Speaking yesterday at a seminar on conspiracy in the energy business, Decharut said Egat's plan was based on an economic expansion of 5.5 per cent though the Finance Ministry forecast long-term economic growth of only 4.8 per cent.

The PDP is the master plan for the next 15 years for building new power plants based on forecasts of long-term energy demand. If it is approved by the Energy Policy and Planning Office, and the Cabinet, the plan would be effective for the period 2006-2021. The plan is being reviewed by Egat after it was rejected by the Energy Ministry.

Decharut said the energy forecast for this year was overestimated by about 900 megawatts, while he said the projection for 2012 was 6,100 megawatts too high. Moreover, the revised plan also limited alternative energy to only four sources - coal, natural gas, diesel and nuclear - and did not pay attention to the development of clean energy such as biofuel.

Sairung Thongplon, manager of the Foundation for Consumers, said she was afraid the plan would pave the way for Egat to run the power industries in neighbouring countries, claiming many energy investments in those countries were joint ventures with Egat.

Sairung and Decharut demanded the process to consider the PDP be suspended until a new government takes power and the plan can be revised to balance with real economic growth.

Egat could not be contacted.

Pennapa Hongthong

The Nation