Published 18th December 2010
B9bn solar-cell farm for Lop Buri The Thai unit of Hong Kong-based China Light & Power (CLP) will join next year with Egco Group and Mitsubishi to invest in the world's largest photovoltaic solar-cell farm worth 9 billion baht, says managing director Woramol Khamkanist. "Thailand is CLP's target as the government provides full support for renewable energy. We can enjoy a tax holiday, subsidies and soft loans that will make the project commercially viable. Compared to others in Southeast Asia, Thailand is better than anyone," Mr Woramol said. CLP (Thailand) said the installation would be located in Lop Buri and have a total capacity of 73 megawatts. As the project requires a massive investment, CLP decided to join with SET-listed Egco Group and Japan-based Mitsubishi. All three hold equal stakes in the new venture called Natural Energy Development Co (NED). "The development of solar cells is part of our mission. The regional office is focusing on clean energy development and carbon cuts. We are aiming to see 20% of our capacity to be emission-free such as nuclear and hydro, with more than 5% of total capacity coming from renewable energy," said Mr Woramol. The investors are now in the process of purchasing 1,160 rai in Lop Buri for the solar farm and are seeking investment privileges from the Board of Investment. They are also waiting for its environmental impact assessment to be approved while selecting solar equipment, transformers and converter technology to match its requirements. The company also hopes to sign a power purchase agreement with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the country's sole power buyer. "The project will officially start construction in mid-January and once it begins operation by the end of 2011, our solar cell farm will be the world's largest, bigger than the current world leader at 60 MW in Spain," he said. CLP group started to focus on non-emission power generation in 2004 by setting the goal of 10% of capacity this year from 1% in 2004. It aims to double this to 20% in 2020. CLP also has set a target of cutting its power plants' carbon dioxide emissions by half to 0.45 kilogrammes per kilowatt/hour (unit) in 2035 from 0.8 kg per unit now.
Published 18th December 2010
CLP Thailand is also conducting a feasibility study for operating wind power in northeastern Thailand, in which it expects to join hands with Egco Group as its strategic partner. "Our policy is quite clear, that we are moving towards the climate change issue. That is why our master investment plan for power development will focus on renewable energy, though the investment required huge money," said Mr Woramol. The company is also testing the potential for building solar cells in India and for developing geothermal energy in Australia and offshore wind farms in the south of Hong Kong.