Egat seeking sites for power plants
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is open to proposals from landowners across the country for the location of its new coal-fired and natural-gas power plants.
The agency believes that such land sales would indicate ebbing resistance to investment in new power stations. "Interest has been expressed in selling land plots in various places to Egat," said deputy governor Apichart Diloksopon. "Probably, the public sees the need for new power plants to accommodate higher power demand, and they understand that power plants are not the cause of pollution." He also attributed the more positive public position to the Energy Ministry's plan to establish a power-development fund. This will collect money from old and new power plants and divert funds to improve community environments or reduce power prices for residents in areas where the plants are sited. Speaking at an event to celebrate the 38th anniversary of Egat yesterday, Apichart said the state enterprise was looking for locations to accommodate new coal-fired power plants. To lessen public resistance, he vowed Egat would take the best care of the plants' surrounding environment and the local quality of life. "We believe that the government will help us find the funds to finance the investment," he said.
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