Thailand's power consumption soars this year

BANGKOK, June 27 (TNA) - Thailand's power consumption in metropolitan areas has soared by 15-20 per cent year-on-year on average in the first half of this year, hitting its historic record and unprecedented peak, particularly during the first four months when the power consumption even surged by 34 per cent. According to Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) Governor Arthorn Sinsawad, the jump in electricity consumption in Thailand's metropolitan areas has resulted from use of imported industrial machines to replace those damaged by flooding late last year, as well as increased use of power by local households due to higher temperatures and the growing Thai property sector. Arthorn assessed today that Thailand's power consumption in metropolitan areas throughout 2012 should expand by 6-7 per cent year-on-year on average, much higher than its earlier target of 3 per cent on average, prompting the MEA to have adjusted its investment plans to cope with the greater domestic power consumption. Meanwhile, the MEA has signed an agreement with the International Copper Association Southeast Asia (ICA-STA) on jointly organizing traning programs for countries in the lower Mekong River basin, aimed at achieving a regional unity in power distribution system in preparation for the formation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. (TNA)