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PTT Group to construct solar farms

By  NALIN VIBOONCHART
1 Apr 2010
PTT Group is conducting a feasibility study in a number of areas for investment in solar farms with a capacity of 50-60 megawatts each, in line with the group's policy to focus more on green energy for sustainable growth.

Executive vice president Nattachart Jaruchinda yesterday said PTT would collaborate with its subsidiaries IRPC and Thai Oil to invest in the renewable-energy project.

Bangchak Petroleum, partially owned by PTT, earlier announced a 30MW solar farm in Ayutthaya, with a plan to build more in order to boost revenue from green energy.

PTT Group is also revising its investment road map to reflect its policy of shifting focus more to biofuel and renewable energy. The new road map will be completed within a few months, he said.

Nattachart said PTT Group was interested in investing in solar farms with a capacity of 50-60MW. For that size of farm, the company will have to spend between Bt5 billion and Bt6 billion as the investment cost is about Bt100 million per megawatt.

"We are conducting a feasibility study, so we do not yet know how much will we invest in the project. But we will seek partners for co-investment," he said.

PTT Group will approach the Energy Ministry about the sale of the renewable energy.

Construction of the solar farm is expected to start this year and the company will utilise the IRPC's land bank for the facilities.

IRPC president Pailin Chuchottaworn previously said the company would develop 4,000 rai of land in Rayong province to operate a green business, in line with its policy of getting the most out its abundant land resources.

A source from PTT said the group was studying three areas: 2,000 rai in Wang Chan, Rayong; 500 rai in Ban Khai, Rayong; and 2,000 rai in Songkhla province.

The area with the greatest potential seems to be Songkhla, due to the high solar intensity.

Besides, it would be good for PTT Group to locate investment in the southern part of the country in order to create much-needed jobs and serve electricity demand in the region, the source said.

All of the potential sites being considered belong to IRPC.

"The feasibility study is expected to be completed within the next few months. After that, PTT Group will start construction immediately, so that the solar farms are completed within two years," the source added.
Resource
The Nation