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Published on October 27, 2007

Egat governor Kraisri Karnasutra said the efficiency increase would start at Sirindhorn Dam in Ubon Ratchathani and Chulabhorn Dam in Chaiyaphum.

Czech-based Skoda Export has been contracted to increase the efficiency by installing three generators at Sirindhorn and two at Chulabhorn.

At Sirindhorn, the three generators will have a combined additional capacity of 36 megawatts. The Bt192-million project started last month and is set for completion in August 2010.

At Chulabhorn, the installation of the two generators with combined capacity of 40MW will be completed in May 2010 with a budget of Bt180 million.

These two dams have been generating power for 36 and 35 years, respectively. While most equipment is outdated, the dams and the infrastructure are in good condition.

"Hydropower generating is of low operating cost. It could also be a back-up in times of emergency. As such, all generators must be kept running all the time," Kraisri said.

Hydropower in Thailand accounts for 6.1 per cent of total capacity this year, from 16 dams nationwide under Egat's supervision. Their combined capacity is 3,423MW.

The Nation