Residents of Samut Prakan Province participated in the public hearing organized by Office of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the authority responsible for permitting the development of South Bangkok Power Plant Project (Addition) owned by Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). The public hearing focused on public engagement by all groups of stakeholders. The opinions gained will be taken into account for the consideration in permitting energy business operation before being submitted to the Cabinet.
On September 17, 2023, Mr. Somsak Kaewsena, District Chief of Mueang Samut Prakan presided over the opening ceremony of the public hearing for South Bangkok Power Plant Project (Addition) owned by EGAT with the aim to collect public opinions for the consideration in granting project development permission. The public hearing, held at Pu Chao Saming Phrai Municipality Office, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan Province, was attended by representatives of ERC, Public Hearing Committee, residents, government and private agencies, academic institutes, media, and general public totaling 500 persons, together with online participants.
Mr. Somsak Kaewsena, District Chief of Mueang Samut Prakan said that South Bangkok Power Plant has existed with Samut Prakan Province for a long time as an important electricity source for Bangkok Metropolitan Region which is the economic hub for manufacturing, industry, business, and services. As the area is crowded, sufficient power supply is vital. South Bangkok Power Plant Project has been included in Thailand’s Power Development Plan 2018-2037 (PDP2018 Revision 1) to support economic growth of the country in the future.
Ms. Piyanuch Klansorn, Director of Environment and Energy Industry Monitoring Department of ERC, said that South Bangkok Power Plant Project (Addition) will use natural gas as main fuel with the maximum installed capacity of 2,490 MW. This will bring the total installed capacity of South Bangkok Power Plant to 4,489.60 MW. As the project needs to pass an Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA), EGAT has already proposed the EHIA report to Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, the Expert Committee of EHIA, and National Environment Board. ERC then appointed the Public Hearing Committee to organize additional public hearing to provide an opportunity for people to give opinions and express concerns in every aspect. The Committee will summarize all opinions gained from the public hearing before submitting the report to ERC and the Cabinet for consideration.
