View Full Version : Chana Power Station:Open!
Recently heard that the TTM pipeline is already carrying unseparated gas to Malaysia. The Gas Separation Plant is likely to come onstream in about a year's time, due to delays caused by conflicts with aggreived locals.
But it was the following news that surprised me. I had either not received news of an adjacent 700 MW natural gas-fired power plant; or had forgotten it. It seems the site is already being prepared for the commencement of construction in about May, 2005; with a very approximate finish date about 18 months hence. This seems a tad optimistic in view of the other problems in the vicinity. I suppose that almost tallies with the date mentioned in the following article:-
http://www.cogen3.net/presscuts/thailand/egatplansgasplantinsongkhla.html
http://nationmultimedia.com/2005/06/08/national/index.php?news=national_17631737.html
Recently heard that the TTM pipeline is already carrying unseparated gas to Malaysia. The Gas Separation Plant is likely to come onstream in about a year's time, due to delays caused by conflicts with aggreived locals.
But it was the following news that surprised me. I had either not received news of an adjacent 700 MW natural gas-fired power plant; or had forgotten it. It seems the site is already being prepared for the commencement of construction in about May, 2005; with a very approximate finish date about 18 months hence. This seems a tad optimistic in view of the other problems in the vicinity. I suppose that almost tallies with the date mentioned in the following article:-
http://www.cogen3.net/presscuts/thailand/egatplansgasplantinsongkhla.html
Power plant project draws fire
Published on June 08, 2005
The government yesterday came under attack for approving the construction of a thermal power plant in Songkhla’s Chana district.
The Cabinet approved the Energy Ministry’s proposal to build the Bt16-billion thermal power plant, which would have a production capacity of 700 megawatts.
Construction, slated to start this year and finish in March 2008, involves installing a 27-kilometre distribution pipeline from the plant to electrical stations.
But the government approved the plant, which would use natural gas from the Thai-Malaysian Joint Development Area gas separation project, even though it is not yet clear if the separation project will get off the ground, said Banchong Nasae, director of the Project for Coastal Resources Management.
He also alleged that the environmental impact assessment study for the thermal power plant was carried out in secrecy.
“Very few locals in Songkhla know the government plans to construct the plant. Only canvassers knew and bought land where the plant was to be located,’’ he said.
The plant would use about 38,880 cubic metres of water a day from Klong Natab to cool the plant.
He opposed the use of water from Klong Natab to cool the plant, arguing that villagers were dependent on the water for fisheries.
If water from the cooling system were to be released back into the canal the hot water would harm breeding patterns, and no villagers would be able to fish in it within three years, he said.
“We have seen examples of this at the Khanom Power Plant in Nakhon Si Thammarat,’’ he said.
As always with Thai English Language Dailies, this report is extremely confused. What do they mean about a 'distribution pipeline to electrical stations'? I suppose they mean a pipeline branch north from the already operating GPP to the power station at Natap. What do they mean 'it is not yet clear if the separation project will get off the ground', when the GSP is on the point of completion.
Amongst other marine enterprises at Natap is a Pearl Farm, according to some accounts.
The land TPI bought at Natap is a hefty 2,500 Rai. Probably enough for TPI, EGAT & Praxair together, although it will interesting to see if these other organisations have bought their own land parcels.
I note that the Thai-American Chamber of Trade AMCHAM Magazine calls these various interrelated projects the 'Energy Landbridge Project'.
Traveller's passing along the coastal road about 15 Kms South of Songkhla confirm that there is a very large construction project happening in that area. It is a predominantly Muslim area, but I have had no news of local protest or disquiet. Construction seems to be taking place on rather poor-quality land (at least, from a conventional agricultural standpoint) close to the seashore. One can only assume that the authorities have been some what more cunning this time. One hopes that they have learned something from the industrial despoliation of Chonburi & Rayong, but I somehow doubt it; almost completely.
This is the TEAM Consultancy who did the Environmental Impact Assessment. Check at page top to see how much they are being paid for it. Also notice that the EIA finished in 2005, presumably at the time construction started in June, 2005. :rolleyes:
Note that this organisation are picking up a lot of these large projects. By some accounts, there are very few people available to do EIAs in Thailand. This piece of PR looks a bit like a 'brushing it under the carpet' job to me. The description of the EIA is about as bland as bland gets; and the accompanying photo doesn't even appear to show the project in question:-
http://www.teamgroup.co.th/en/p0734.htm
This is the TEAM Consultancy who did the Environmental Impact Assessment:-
http://www.teamgroup.co.th/en/p0734.htm
And this is an announcement about the contact award early in August, 2005 to Siemens Marubeni. Odd seeing as site preparation had already begun in June, 2005; with the EIA only having just been completed at the same time.
There is also another possible 'power' project about 40 Km away, also in Songkhla province; that might eventually lead to a lignite-fired power station. Saba Yoi is a district heavily embroiled in the Southern problem. My guess is that the government really will think twice about developing this one; given all the contentious pollution problems associated with the Mae Moh mine & power plant in much less politically volatile Northern Thailand:-
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2003/thmyb03.pdf
In 2003, EGAT conducted additional coal surveys and exploration in Wiang Haeng District, Chiang Mai Province and in Saba Yoi
District, Songkhla Province. ..... Additionally, EGAT also was granted a permit to develop the Saba Yoi coal basin in Songkhla Province. Community development and public communication programs had been carried out
continuously in 2003 (Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand, 2003).
The following linked article appears to explain the fact that site preparation had already begun in earnest before (as early as June, 2005), while the contract wasn't signed until early August. It appears that there is an electricity supply shortfall in the South. And that the shortfall is being made up with supplies from Malaysia; presumably through the border switching plant that Siemens constructed near Khlong Ngae a few years back. Furthermore, it appears that the Power Plant will eventually be run mainly on Natural Gas drawn from the Malaysian sector of the Joint Development Area; although agreements have been reached with PTT Exploration to remedy that situation:-
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/05/24/business/index.php?news=business_17459360.html
POWER FOR THE SOUTH: Work on Songkhla plant sped up
Published on May 24, 2005 -The Nation
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) will accelerate the construction of its power plant in Songkhla province to provide electricity for the South before its fuel contract with Malaysia runs out in 2007.
This page gives a view of a similar smaller Power Plant in New Zealand:-
http://www.the-eic.com/News/Archive/2005/Aug/Article855.htm
This page shows Siemens own Web Release on Songkhla Power Plant:-
http://www.powergeneration.siemens.com/en/press/pg200507063e/index.cfm
I note they have started calling it Chana Power Station rather than Songkhla:
..... But it was the following news that surprised me. I had either not received news of an adjacent 700 MW natural gas-fired power plant; or had forgotten it. It seems the site is already being prepared for the commencement of construction in about May, 2005; with a very approximate finish date about 18 months hence. This seems a tad optimistic in view of the other problems in the vicinity. I suppose that almost tallies with the date mentioned in the following article:-
http://www.cogen3.net/presscuts/thailand/egatplansgasplantinsongkhla.html
..... Siemens of Germany and Marubeni of Japan, which are building the Chana electricity plant in Songkhla, have an agreement with Egat to finish the project by the first quarter of 2008, but it will be delayed to the second quarter. .....
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/26Oct2007_biz29.php
I note they have started calling it Chana Power Station rather than Songkhla:
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/26Oct2007_biz29.php
PTT supplies gas to EGAT
PTT will supply up to 114 billion British thermal units per day of natural gas for 25 years to Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in a deal worth around Bt200 billion.
The supply contract was signed on Friday.
Starting May 2008, natural gas from the Malaysia Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA) will be used to supply the 730 megawatt combined-cycle power plant in Chana district in Songkhla province, said PTT President Prasert Bunsumpun.
The agreement wil substitue bunker oil import of 920 million litres a year or 23,000 million litres througout the period. This will save the country's oil imports of at least Bt7.2 billion per annum or Bt180 billion througout the 25-year period.
EGAT Governor Kraisri Karnasuta said after the contract signing that the power plant, yet to be built, will serve increasing electricity demand in southern Thailand.
He noted that power demand in the lower South is higher than supply in the area, he said.
"This combined cycle power plant is necessary as it will support the economic expansion. Meanwhile, this will also reduce the Kingdom's power generating cost and reduce power imports from neigbouring countries, which are worth Bt2 billion a year or a total of Bt50.4 billion throughout 25 years," Kraisri said.
Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand who witnessed the contract signing said that the gas supply contract would mean a more stable power supply to the country.
- The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/02/business/business_30054706.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/02/business/business_30054706.php
And just to be doubly sure, they signed it again!::confused: :D
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255011070022
07 November 2007
PTT signs contract with EGAT to buy natural gas
Minister of Energy Piyasvasti Amranand (ปิยสวัสดิ์ อัมระนันทน์) chairs a ceremony to sign a procurement contract of natural gas between the PTT Plc. and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). The natural gas will be used to generate electricity at the Chana (จะนะ) Power Plant in Songkhla province.
The contract is signed by PTT President Prasert Bunsumpun (ประเสริฐ บุญสัมพันธ์) and EGAT Governor Kraisri Karnasutra (ไกรสีห์ กรรณสูต).
Natural gas procured to generate electricity at the Chana Power Plant is part of a project to support clean energy as well as to reduce global warming and reduce the country’s import of bunker oil by 920 million liters a year.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter05
Blimey! I just noticed that it says "Chana, Ayutthaya". Well, it must be a mistake. There is only one power station likely to get gas from the JDA - and that's Chana in Songkhla Province:
EGAT's plant in Chana starts engine
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand on Friday officially kicks start the power plant in Chana district, Ayutthaya.
With the installed capacity of 731MW, it required the investment of Bt16.9 billion. It is run on natural gas from the Joint Development Area (JDA).
According to Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop, this is the first power plant to take advantage of the gas found in the area.
The Chana plant is part of the 15-year power development plan (PDP). Egat is committed to proceed with new power plants, including two coal-fired ones.
- The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/21/business/business_30068823.php
Blimey! I just noticed that it says "Chana, Ayutthaya". Well, it must be a mistake. There is only one power station likely to get gas from the JDA - and that's Chana in Songkhla Province:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/21/business/business_30068823.php
This article also makes it fairly obvious why the reporter got confused over the location in the last report. Also a bit strange that 'Energy Reporters' should use rather non-jargon expressions like "EGAT officially started the engine of its plant":
Two new EGAT plants on stream in 2012
Published on March 22, 2008
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) will build two new 800-megawatt power plants worth a combined Bt36 billion in Ayutthaya and Chachoensao provinces.
Egat expects to hire a contractor for construction of the first plant in Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya by the end of the year, so that the plant can feed power to the system in 2012.
EGAT governor Sombat Santijaree yesterday said the bidding would also take place early next year for the construction of another 800MW plant in Chachoengsao's Bang Pakong district, which will supply power in 2013.
"During 2008 and 2009, Egat will borrow Bt10 billion per annum to finance the construction," Sombat said. "We're discussing with the Finance Ministry about the fund-raising options, whether we should issue bonds or tap loans from financial institutions."
Yesterday, EGAT officially started the engine of its plant in Chana district, Songkhla, which is one of the investment projects under the 15-year power development plan (PDP).
The plant, fuelled by 130 million cubic feet of natural gas daily from the Joint Development Area, is supplying power for the South where demand rises 10-11 per cent per annum. With an installed capacity of 731MW, it cost Bt16.9 billion.
EGAT has boasted that it faced no resistance from the local community, thanks to close discussions with local leaders. It has also contributed Bt400,000 to a community development fund. After the commercial start-up, the fund will receive Bt30 million-Bt50 million a year.
According to Santi, EGAT will proceed with the planned investment under the PDP, which requires the state agency to erect two coal-fired power plants.
EGAT is now looking for locations for the power plants, expecting to finalise the plan in 2009 so that the facilities can start feeding in power in 2015.
"If we can't keep to the schedule, the Chana power plant could be expanded to accommodate the generation of another 700MW, or EGAT could buy more power from overseas sources like the one in Koh Kong, Cambodia," Santi said.
Energy Reporters
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/22/headlines/headlines_30068893.php
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