SPCG Plc, the SET-listed solar farm company, has been in talks to allow a wholly owned subsidiary of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to invest jointly in its four solar farm projects worth 2.2 billion baht.
A higher power tariff means Thais will warm to solar, says Ms Wandee. WISIT THAMNGERN
Wandee Khunchornyakong, SPCG's chairman and chief executive, said PEA Encom International Co has been invited to join hands with SPCG to develop solar farms in the Northeast.
Located in Surin, Khon Kaen and Loei provinces, these projects have a capacity of 6 megawatts each.
The Energy Regulatory Commission has granted SPCG 36 solar farm licences worth a combined 26 billion baht.
The two parties will also conduct a feasibility study of solar rooftop and energy-service businesses.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed last Friday, the two partners will jointly study solar farms and solar rooftop projects in Thailand.
Ms Wandee said of the 36 projects, 21 operate with a combined capacity of 126.5 MW, while seven will come online this quarter.
The other eight projects are scheduled to become operational in the fourth quarter, bringing total capacity to 223 MW.
In May, SPCG kicked off its solar rooftop business, and 500 homeowners have expressed interest in joining the programme.
Solar rooftops are being installed at 100 houses.
"We think Thais will embrace this clean energy, as the electricity tariff will likely double in the coming years due to the rising cost of natural gas, the main fuel for power generation in Thailand," she said.
"This will help to reduce power bills for households and small and medium-sized enterprises."
Panya Laochu, the managing director of PEA Encom, said the collaboration will help energy-service businesses to tap into rising demand in Thailand.
Shares of SPCG closed yesterday on the SET at 26 baht, up 1.90 baht, in trade worth 280 million baht.