Hydroelectricity in Thailand
Thailand has set targets and policies for the development of its energy sector for 2035, with priority being given to indigenous renewable energy resources, including hydropower.[1]
Hydropower in Thailand is the biggest form of renewable energy in Thailand, beating solar power in Thailand and wind power in Thailand, with a total capacity of over 7000 megawatts (MW) of hydropower generation capacity installed in 26 hydroelectric dams in the country. The biggest hydroelectric dam in Thailand is the Bhumibol Dam, which has eight turbines giving it a total capacity of 749 MW. The dam was opened in 1964 and is owned and operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). As of 2000, large-scale hydropower generation in Thailand had reached almost 3 gigawatts (GW), and development has since slowed as concerns were raised on environmental impacts of large hydropower plants.[1] Generation from small-scale hydropower is rising at a modest rate.[1]
Thailand also imports electricity produced by hydroelectric power stations in other countries. By September 2015, Thailand was importing 7% of the electricity it could produce. Electricity was being imported from Laos, Myanmar and China.[2][3]
To complement Thailand's hydropower plants, EGAT plans to build floating solar-hydro projects on eight reservoir dams around the country, with a total planned capacity of 1 GW.[4][5][6]
List of Thailand hydroelectric power stations
Station | Capacity (MW) | Community | Coordinates | Status | Opening Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ban Yang Dam | 0.13 | Operational | |||
Ban Khun Klang Dam | 0.20 | Operational | |||
Bang Lang Dam | 72 | 6°9′23″N 101°16′25″E / 6.15639°N 101.27361°E / 6.15639; 101.27361 (Bang Lang Dam) | Operational[7] | 1981 | |
Ban Santi | 1.28 | Operational | |||
Bhumibol Dam | 749 | 17°14′33″N 98°58′20″E / 17.24250°N 98.97222°E / 17.24250; 98.97222 (Bhumibol Dam) | Operational[8] | 1964 | |
Chulabhorn Dam | 40 | 16°32′10″N 101°39′0″E / 16.53611°N 101.65000°E / 16.53611; 101.65000 (Chulabhorn Dam) | Operational | 1972 | |
Chao Phraya Dam | 19 | 15°9′29″N 100°10′48″E / 15.15806°N 100.18000°E / 15.15806; 100.18000 (Chao Phraya Dam) | Operational | 1957 | |
Huai Kui Mang Dam | 0.10 | Operational | |||
Huai Kum Dam | 1.06 | Operational | 1980 | ||
Kaeng Krachan Dam | 12 | 12°54′57″N 99°37′51″E / 12.91583°N 99.63083°E / 12.91583; 99.63083 (Kaeng Krachan Dam) | Operational[9] | 1966 | |
Khlong Chong Klam Dam | 0.02 | Operational | |||
Lam Takhong Pumped Storage Power Plant | 500 | 14°51′54″N 101°33′37″E / 14.86500°N 101.56028°E / 14.86500; 101.56028 (Lam Takhong Dam) | Operational | 2002 | |
Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam | 9 | 19°9′41″N 99°2′24″E / 19.16139°N 99.04000°E / 19.16139; 99.04000 (Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam) | Operational[10] | 1986 | |
Nam Pung Dam | 6 | Operational | 1965 | ||
Pak Mun Dam | 136 | 15°16′55″N 105°28′06″E / 15.28194°N 105.46833°E / 15.28194; 105.46833 (Pak Mun Dam) | Operational[8] | 1994 | |
Rajjaprabha Dam | 240 | Operational | 1987 | ||
Sirikit Dam | 500 | 17°45′50″N 100°33′48″E / 17.76389°N 100.56333°E / 17.76389; 100.56333 (Sirikit Dam) | Operational[8] | 1974 | |
Srinagarind Dam | 720 | 14°24′31″N 99°07′42″E / 14.40861°N 99.12833°E / 14.40861; 99.12833 (Srinagarind Dam) | Operational[8] | 1980 | |
Sirindhorn Dam | 36 | 15°12′22″N 105°25′24″E / 15.20611°N 105.42333°E / 15.20611; 105.42333 (Sirindhorn Dam) | Operational | 1971 | |
Tha Thung Na Dam | 38 | 14°14′1″N 99°14′9″E / 14.23361°N 99.23583°E / 14.23361; 99.23583 (Tha Thung Na Dam) | Operational[11] | 1981 | |
Ubol Ratana Dam | 25.2 | 16°46′31″N 102°37′05″E / 16.77528°N 102.61806°E / 16.77528; 102.61806 (Ubol Ratana Dam) | Operational | 1966 | |
Vajiralongkorn Dam | 300 | 14°47′58″N 98°35′49″E / 14.79944°N 98.59694°E / 14.79944; 98.59694 (Vajiralongkorn Dam) | Operational | 1984 | |
Mae Wong Dam | 15°55′1″N 99°19′39″E / 15.91694°N 99.32750°E / 15.91694; 99.32750 (Mae Wong Dam) | Proposed | |||
Kaeng Suea Ten Dam | 18°36′0″N 100°9′0″E / 18.60000°N 100.15000°E / 18.60000; 100.15000 (Kaeng Suea Ten Dam) | Proposed | |||
Pakchom Dam | Proposed | ||||
Ban Koum Dam | Proposed |
See also
- Renewable energy in Thailand
- Wind power in Thailand
- Solar power in Thailand
- Renewable energy by country
References
- ^ a b c Renewable Energy Outlook: Thailand (PDF). 2017. ISBN 978-92-9260-035-8.
- ^ "The Hidden Cost of Thailand's New Power Development Plan". International Rivers. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ^ "Development of hydropower 'must be safe', PM tells World Economic Forum". The Nation. September 14, 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
- ^ Sharon, Alita (2019-03-05). "Thailand's new solar plants to float on dams and reservoirs". OpenGov Asia. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
- ^ Sharon, Alita (2018-11-18). "Thailand's EGA to facilitate 1GW of floating solar on hydro dams". OpenGov Asia. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
- ^ Kenning, Tom (December 11, 2018). "ADB invests US$155 million in B. Grimm's green bonds for Thai solar projects". PV Tech. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
- ^ "Bang Lang Dam". Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Retrieved 2 July 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Hydroelectric Power Plants in Thailand". Gallery. Power Plants Around The World. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
- ^ "Kaeng Krachan Dam". Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
- ^ "Mae Ngat Somboon Chon Dam". Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ^ "Tha Thung Na Dam". Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.