Published on 28/01/2014
WEH to launch first wind farm in Asean
Nakhon Ratchasima: Wind Energy Holding Co (WEH), Asean's largest wind farm operator in terms of capacity, is poised to start its first wind farm project in the region next year.
‘We want to bring our expertise into the potential markets particularly in the Asean region,’ says Mr Hojerslev.
Chief executive Frank Hojerslev said WEH saw the potential of wind farm business in Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam because all those countries are focusing on green energy. Among these countries, Vietnam is the most potential market because its government is concerning about the energy security amid the fast pace of economic growth. WEH will penetrate those markets not only by itself but also via join ventures with its strategic partners.
Mr Hojerslev said the business model of the wind farm will cover full integration from developer to operator which is likely to be applied to its business in Thailand. "We want to bring our expertise into the potential markets particularly in the Asean region" he said. "We hope to have tangible wind farm business there.'' Since 2013, WEH has operated two wind farm projects in Dan Khun Thot, Nakhon Ratchasima with a total capacity of 207 mega watts (MW) worth 12.74 billion baht. The project has 90 wind turbines of 2.3 MW each, with an additional tariff rate when selling to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand over the general rate at 3.5 baht per kilowatt hour (unit). In 2007, the company was granted licences to develop and operate a wind farm with an output of 1,000 MW by the Ministry of Energy and it plans to develop another 800 MW over the next few years. Mr Hojerslev said the cost of developing the wind farm will start at US$2.0-2.7 million per MW. Suradech Kietthanakorn, first senior vice president of Kasikornbank, said KBank expected this year there will be the development of power plant totally 5,754 MW worth 215.6 billion baht which will require a loan of 204.68 billion baht. Of the total new power plant, there will be renewable energy at 679 MW worth 71.24 billion baht which requires a loan of 51.63 billion baht. The project will involve a solar and wind farm. KBank aims to be the major financier of the project Under the third edition of the 2010 power development plan, running from this year to 2030, there will be a new development of 42 renewable energy projects worth a total of 97.43 billion baht.