Thailand’s Metropolitan Energy Authority (MEA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with private firm Newsky Energy Thailand on co-investment arrangements for two new waste-to-energy power plants in Bangkok. Construction will start later in 2021, and the new plants are slated to come online in the electricity grid in 2024.
According to MEA Governor, each of the waste-to-energy plants will generate 35 megawatts of electricity using 1,000 tons of waste as fuel each day. The two power plants will be introduced along with the smart grid system, enabling communities in service areas to receive power entirely from these plants, independent of the main power lines. The total project costs approximately THB 10 billion (USD 320.1 million).
Since 2016, New Sky Energy Thailand has been working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to operate a waste-to-energy incinerator at Nong Khaem dump, which converts 500 tons of garbage into electricity each day. Newsky Energy Thailand is currently registered as an electric power generation and transmission company in Thailand and 100% owned by Chinese investors.
In another development, the Solid Waste Management Association of Thailand (SWAT) announced the launch of its Plastic Footprint Reduction Project with support from the Government of Sweden. Accordingly, SWAT will work with 12 companies and organizations representing key sectors in Thailand pioneering the process for reducing plastic footprints.
These companies and organizations include S&P Syndicate Public Company Limited, SAPPE Public Company Limited, Cosmos Brewery (Thailand) Co. Ltd., TPBI Public Company Limited, The Sukosol Hotel, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Doi Kham Food Products Co. Ltd., SITEX Industry Corporation Co. Ltd., Wieng Theong Municipality, Mae Fah Luang University, Wat Soi Thong School and Mater Dei School.
(Sources: National News Bureau of Thailand; Circular)