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Published on September 7, 2007

Piti Yimprasert, IRPC's chief executive officer, said the company would continue to study the project although it would still need an environmental impact assessment (EIA).

He said IRPC had two potential sites for the coal-fired power-plant: its own industrial estate in Rayong and one 20-kilometres from the estate. The latter is located on undeveloped ground with no communities around it. But for the upcoming bid, Piti said he had discussed it with the investment partners and they decided not to take part because it would take some time before an EIA could be approved.

"We have only taken six months to study and prepare for this bid. Besides the protest, we think we need more preparation for the next bid, including EIA approval," he said, adding "IRPC wants to apologise to the people in Rayong for causing such concerns".

Piti said the project was still being studied and was not affecting any of the company's investment plans or revenue structures. "This project needs an investment of nearly Bt100 billion. We have to consider it very carefully," he added.

Despite IRPC's backdown, the Energy Ministry is proceeding with the plan to build nuclear power plants.

Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand said in his closing speech at the "PowerGen Asia 2007" seminar that the government had set a "clear policy" to build nuclear power plants.

He said in preparation, the government needed to draft regulations, set up regulatory bodies, set safety standards, prepare personnel, find a construction site and raise acceptance from the public.

However, if there were better alternatives in the future, such as if solar cell technology became cheaper, then the government might cancel the nuclear power plant project.

The Ministry of Science and Technology was discussing a nuclear power law with relevant agencies. Piyasvasti said he hoped the draft would be completed before the interim government ended its term.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

 The Nation