Published on 14/05/2015
Ratch moves on with fourth Aust wind farm RATCHABURI ELECTRICITY Generating Holding's 180-megawatt Mount Emerald wind-farm project in the Australian state of Queensland was finally given development approval by Queensland's regulatory agencies late last month, which will allow the company to continue with the project officially. Pongdith Potchana, chief executive officer of Ratch, said the approval was another important step in expanding his company's renewable-energy business in Australia. The subsidiary Ratch-Australia Corporation (RAC) has a 50-per-cent equity stake in the project worth a total of 380 million Australian dollars (Bt10.2 billion). It is now seeking to negotiate with potential electricity buyers for the project. Once finalised, construction will be started with estimated completion within two years. The Mount Emerald project will be Ratch's fourth wind farm in Australia, creating additional enterprise value for the company of about Bt6.2 billion. Established base "Australia is one of our established operation bases, creating enterprise value of Bt15 billion," Pongdith said. "Based on Ratch's long-term strategic plan, our focus in Australia is mainly on renewable-energy business, especially wind farms. There are abundant attractive potential opportunities due to the government's promotional policy. "At present, RAC operates three wind farms, with total installed capacity of 54MW. If the Mount Emerald project is completely successful, our wind-power capacity as per equity holding in Australia will reach 144MW. In addition, RAC is now conducting development for another 200MW project." In the first quarter of 2015, the company recognised total revenues of Bt16.03 billion, divided into Bt15.3 billion from domestic independent and small power
plants, Bt130.43 million from domestic renewable-power operations, Bt487.24 million from international power productions and Bt114.08 million from other businesses. The profit for the quarter was Bt1.16 billion. As of March 31, the company booked Bt98.56 billion in total assets. This year, Ratch targets enterprise value of Bt133 billion, increasing 10 per cent from 2014.