Page 12 - AsiaElec Week 28 2021

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disaster, a government estimate showed, on how much renewable energy has been MW by 2040.
Kyodo News reported. introduced in the future, fuel prices, and
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and facility utilisation rates, according to METI.
Industry at an expert panel meeting estimated
the cost of generating nuclear power will rise SOL AR HYBRID
about 10 percent from its previous estimate
in 2015, while the cost of solar power will HYDRO Thailand’s Super set to
drop as it becomes more widespread due to
decarbonisation efforts. SJVN wins 679 MW hydro build hybrid power plant
METI has traditionally emphasised the low
cost of power generation as an advantage of project in Nepal Super Energy Corporation is planning to
nuclear power, but the government is aiming develop Thailand’s first power plant based on
to make renewable energy the country’s main Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVN) and the hybrid renewable resources under a “firm”
energy source as part of its plan to achieve Investment Board of Nepal have signed an power purchase agreement (PPA).
carbon neutrality by 2050, a goal that will be MoU for the execution of 679 MW Lower A firm PPA refers to a steady supply
reflected in the basic energy plan to be revised Arun Hydro Electric Project in Nepal, the of electricity provided to the Electricity
this summer. Ministry of Power said on Monday. Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat).
The estimated cost of generating nuclear SJVN won the project through Usually renewable power, except electricity
power, which stood at least at 10.3 yen per international competitive bidding, defeating produced by refuse-derived fuel, is in the non-
kilowatt in 2015, has now risen by over 1 yen other companies of the neighbouring firm PPA category. Sun, wind and biomass are
to at least 11.5 yen due to the implementation countries, the Ministry said in a statement. intermittent sources of power because their
of measures required under the country’s new “India is also endeavouring creation of a production depends on weather conditions
nuclear safety rules. common pool for regional power grid and and seasons.
Conversely, the cost of solar energy for energy market in the neighbouring countries Jormsup Lochaya, chief executive and vice-
commercial use is expected to fall from the for regional peace and improvement of chairman of the Super Energy board, said the
12.7-15.6 yen range as estimated in 2015 to optimum utilisation of generation assets,” it company will develop the hybrid renewable
the 8-11.5 yen range, while solar energy for said. project this year and expects to start operation
residential use is expected to fall from the The Lower Arun project is located in by the end of next year.
12.5-16.4 yen range to the 9.5-14.5 yen range Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts of The 2-billion-baht project has an installed
as the price of panels and related equipment Nepal. The project will have four francis power generation capacity of 49 megawatts
fall amid increased adoption. type turbines. On completion, the project from an on-ground solar farm, with back-up
The minimum estimates for both onshore will generate 2,970mn units of electricity per power from a 1MW biogas-fired power plant
wind power and LNG-fired power generation annum. It is scheduled to be completed in four and a 136MW-hour energy storage system.
are also lower than that of nuclear power. years after commencement of construction The facility, located in Sa Kaeo province,
Onshore wind power is expected to cost at activities and has been allocated to SJVN for claims to have the largest capacity in Southeast
least 9.5 yen, down from the previous estimate 25 years on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer Asia for a hybrid renewable power plant.
of 13.6 yen, while that from gas-fired power basis. According to the company, 16MW of
plants, whose carbon emissions are about half This is the second project awarded to electricity will be sold to Egat under a PPA.
that of coal-fired power plants, is expected to SJVN in Nepal, the first one being the 900 Mr Jormsup said the project will generate
fall from 13.4 yen to 10.5 yen. MW Arun 3 Hydro Electric Project in an average internal investment return of 16%
Meanwhile, coal-fired power is estimated Sankhuwasabha district. It is the largest over 20 years, with expected revenue per year
to rise from 12.9 yen to the 13.5-22.5 yen investment of around ?7000 crores by India in averaging 230-250mn baht.
range as the cost of measures to curb carbon Nepal, the Ministry said. The power from this “We want to be the first company in
dioxide emissions increases. under-construction project will be evacuated Thailand with hybrid renewable energy under
The estimates are based on the assumption to India through the 400 kV double circuit a firm PPA,” he said. “We are also planning
that power generation facilities will be built transmission line to Sitamarhi in Bihar, India, the next phase of development in the Eastern
and operated on vacant plots of land, and also being constructed by SAPDC. Economic Corridor.”
do not include the cost of acquiring the land SJVN’s present installed capacity is 2016.51
itself. MW and the firm aims to raise it to 5000
Figures are subject to change depending MW by 2023, 12000 MW by 2030 and 25000

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