Page 10 - AsiaElec Week 33

AsiaElec NEWS IN BRIEF AsiaElec

GRID early implementation of the government’s with the BLCP power plant (a joint venture
restructuring roadmap, which it had already between Banpu and the Electricity Generating
Sarawak govt to complete approved Authority of Thailand) still maintaining
efficiency in operations.
The prime minister appreciated the
Northern Grid Extension progress in mutually agreed changes to the plant reported a share of profit of 489mn
At an equivalent availability factor of 100%,
the Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
Project by 2023, says state contracts and said rationalisation of the cost baht after adjustments from a loss from
would help in reducing the circular debt.
currency exchange rates of 120mn baht and
minister for Planning Asad Umar, Minister for Power deferred income taxes of 44mn baht.
The meeting was attended by Minister
Hongsa power plant Unit 3 has been
Minister of Utilities Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Omar Ayub, Special Assistants to PM Shahzad temporarily closed from late April to August
today said that Sarawak will be able to export Qasim and Nadeem Babar, and other senior after a malfunction was detected in certain
electricity to Sabah and Brunei once the officials. machines requiring maintenance.
Northern Grid Extension Project is completed Issues related to the power sector, the The plant’s share of profits dipped to
by 2023. proposed roadmap of reforming and 407mn baht after loss from currency exchange
He said the project is being implemented in restructuring of the sector, and others, rates was included.
phases to extend the transmission grid across including the issue of circular debt and The renewable energy and energy
Sarawak, which can cater injection points for negotiations with the IPPs came under technology businesses under Banpu Next
potential power export to Sabah and Brunei to discussion. reported a loss of 90mn baht.
complete the Borneo Power Grid. The prime minister also advised the BPP reported its first-half earnings before
“I am pleased that the strategic plan for the minister for power to apprise the public of the interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation
power supply system can be reinforced and major milestone achieved in negotiations with was 2.83bn baht, with a total operating profit
modernised to meet the demand growth, but the IPPs and its potential benefits for both of 2.22bn.
this will take time to complete,” he said in a domestic and commercial consumers. The company plans to achieve total
statement today. capacity of 5,300 megawatts of electricity with
He said the major work packages are in 800MW of renewable energy by 2025 through
progress to further modernise and connect construction of power plants in China and
electricity supply to Sarawak’s northern region PERFORMANCE Vietnam, and investments in businesses that
and beyond. generate immediate cash flow like El Wind
“These packages are in different stages of Banpu Power sees revenue Mui Dinh wind farm in Ninh Thuan province
progress with some already completed and of Vietnam.
commissioned. rise “In the first half of 2020, despite the
“In addition, the northern grid extension pandemic creating a real challenge for
to meet electricity supply requirements of Thailand’s Banpu Power (BPP) saw a slight business, BPP continued to maintain our
our neighbours is also progressing,” he said, increase in sales revenue for the second business growth with effective business
adding that the northern grid extension will quarter of 2020, helped by three combined continuity management, allowing us to sustain
eventually connect Limbang and Lawas to heat and power plants in China. a strong cash flow and revenue generated
Sarawak’s main grid. Profit fell 11% from the same quarter last from higher sales volume of electricity from
Rundi said the northern region is vast, with year to 806mn baht on total sales revenue of combined heat and power plants in China,
difficult terrain to negotiate through a longer 1.06bn baht because of the changing price of as well as stable shared profits from BLCP
route bypassing international border crossings coal. and Hongsa power plants,” said Kirana
to get to Limbang and Lawas. BPP maintained gross profit of 12% while Limpaphayom, chief executive of BPP.
“I hope everyone will give Sarawak Energy the average cost of coal for the quarter was at “BPP is also expanding our investment
their full cooperation. This must be prioritised 540 yuan per tonne, down 11% year-on-year portfolio to reach our targeted capacity.”
if we want a modern electricity supply system from 605 yuan per tonne.
with full coverage for all of Sarawak and The company saw profit of 806mn baht
ensure we move forward in becoming an
exporter of renewable energy for Borneo,” he
said.

REFORM
Imran Khan calls for more

power reform

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said
this week that the country’s power sector
was hindering economic growth and that its
immediate reform was essential to lessen the
burden on the consumers.
The premier, chairing a meeting on
the power sector reforms, called for the

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