PHUKET: Two 500kVA power lines from the mainland and the installation of a 500kVA transformer at a power station in Koh Kaew are expected to ease widespread minor power outages across the island by mid-year.
Kitti Petchsanthad, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) deputy governor for operation and facility management of transmission systems, announced the news during an inspection visit to Phuket yesterday (March 27).
The aim of the project is to improve the stability of the power supply and boost investor confidence in Phuket, Kitti said.
The project is part of plans drawn up after the 2013 power outage caused the whole of southern Thailand to suffer a nighttime blackout, Mr Kitti explained.
“The Phuket area was built to expand the electrical system to meet the needs of people and businesses here. Since Phuket is a tourism city, we try to take good care of the electrical system in Phuket,” he said.
“EGAT modernizes the transmission system by installing 500kVA Surat Thani lines to supply Phuket with the construction of a high-voltage power plant at Phuket Power Station 3 [in Koh Kaew]” he added.
The new power lines and transformer, when added to the existing power system, will meet Phuket’s electricity needs for decades to come, Mr Kitti said.
“Not only is it stable and reliable, but it also gives investors confidence. This will lead to the development of Phuket area for 20-30 years. Here we attach importance to the development of electrical systems in Phuket,” he said.
Across southern Thailand, Phuket’s power consumption ranks second behind Songkhla province, Mr Kitti noted, followed by Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Trang.
Phuket draws 400mW from the national grid, mainly supplied by Khanom Power Station in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, but supplemented by power stations at Ratchaprapha Dam in Surat Thani and Chana Power Station in Songkhla.
“These power plants are energy sources that provide electricity for use in the Phuket area, but the installation of the 500kVA supply will connect the power grid in the central region to the south, making it possible to extract electricity from the central region to help in the southern area and then to Phuket, improving stability,” he said.
“Overall, especially for accommodation operators in the Phuket region, this will ensure investors and tourists alike that Phuket and the southern region have a reliable and stable power source with a highly stable power transmission system,” Mr Kitti said.
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