The Electrical Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is considering partnering with PTT Pcl, the nation’s state-controlled gas supplier, to build a receiving terminal for liquefied natural gas supplies, according to Reuters. Natural gas is crucial to the nation, which is a net importer of oil and gas, and uses natural gas for 70 percent of its power generation.
The current gas supply contracts with Myanmar, where EGAT receives a large portions of its product from, are set to expire over the next decade, EGAT Governor Soonchai Kumnoonsate told Reuters.
Without the supply, power plans in western Thailand could be affected, especially since electricity demand is expected to increase about 3 percent each year for the next 20 years, according to Reuters. The LNG may minimize any potential disruptions in service. Thailand began importing LNG in 2011 and is expected to import up to 1.5 million tons this year.
PTT is currently building a second LNG terminal near it’s facility at Map Ta Phut, and is looking into a location for a third terminal, which would be in Myanmar, The Nation reported. The third plant would likely be near the Dawei industrial-estate zone, located close to multiple gas fields.
More information on electricity generation in Thailand can be found at PennEnergy’s research area.
