ID :
202372
Fri, 08/19/2011 - 15:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/202372
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Thai energy minister to review national power plan
BANGKOK, August 19 (TNA) - Energy Minister Pichai Naripthapan says he will review the country’s 20-year power development plan (PDP) by refocusing on national security.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Pichai said under present terms, about 20 percent of the country’s power supply must be imported from abroad, and about 4,000-5,000 megawatts had been purchased so far.
Pichai reasoned however that the country should rely more on its own power plants, in order to cope with unexpected power crises.
Pichai also said he was considering the feasibility of increasing the use of coal and nuclear power to reduce the country’s natural gas consumption to 50 percent from 70 percent currently.
He added that as natural gas would be depleted from the Gulf of Thailand in the next 15 years, he was considering plans to prepare the nation on the energy front, possibly covering its import quota of natural gas and other potential energy exploration projects overseas.
The Thai energy minister said his government would also review its plan to set up a sovereign wealth fund due to a strong public opposition, especially from the Bank of Thailand (BOT). He insisted his Pheu Thai Party had hoped to use the fund in sourcing new energy exploration projects for the petroleum and gold industries.
The senior Pheu Thai official said he was confident investments in energy development projects would enhance national security, citing China’s success with its 2-trillion-US dollar energy investment that led to numerous benefits.
However, he assured the government’s economic team would convene with the Bank of Thailand and sound out public opinions before making further moves. (TNA)
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Pichai said under present terms, about 20 percent of the country’s power supply must be imported from abroad, and about 4,000-5,000 megawatts had been purchased so far.
Pichai reasoned however that the country should rely more on its own power plants, in order to cope with unexpected power crises.
Pichai also said he was considering the feasibility of increasing the use of coal and nuclear power to reduce the country’s natural gas consumption to 50 percent from 70 percent currently.
He added that as natural gas would be depleted from the Gulf of Thailand in the next 15 years, he was considering plans to prepare the nation on the energy front, possibly covering its import quota of natural gas and other potential energy exploration projects overseas.
The Thai energy minister said his government would also review its plan to set up a sovereign wealth fund due to a strong public opposition, especially from the Bank of Thailand (BOT). He insisted his Pheu Thai Party had hoped to use the fund in sourcing new energy exploration projects for the petroleum and gold industries.
The senior Pheu Thai official said he was confident investments in energy development projects would enhance national security, citing China’s success with its 2-trillion-US dollar energy investment that led to numerous benefits.
However, he assured the government’s economic team would convene with the Bank of Thailand and sound out public opinions before making further moves. (TNA)
