AYUTTHAYA : CK Power Plc (CKP), a SET-listed subsidiary of Ch. Karnchang Plc, says it will apply for eight small power producer (SPP) licences next year.
Managing director Supamas Trivisvavet said with expected generating capacity of 117-120 megawatts apiece, CKP estimates 40 billion baht will be needed to develop all eight power plants.
The Energy Ministry is expected to call for a new round of SPP bidding early next year after revision of the national power development plan is finished this month, she said.
As the new SPP programme will requires more efficient power generators, CKP estimates each SPP project will cost 5 billion baht.
"We plan to locate gas-based power plants along PTT's natural gas pipeline," said Ms Supamas.
The first two SPP plants will be near CKP's two existing power plants in Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in district, one of which is already in operation.
PTT is developing a gas pipeline linking central Thailand with Phitsanulok in the North and Nakhon Ratchasima in the Northeast.
Meanwhile, CKP has finished a feasibility study into developing solar farms with combined capacity of 100 MW on its nationwide land bank.
The company wants the Energy Ministry to grant new solar farm licences next year.
To date, only 500 MW of solar farm licences out of 3,000 MW approved by the ministry are operating.
The ministry has eliminated inactive solar farm investors after licences were granted to investors in 2008.
Mrs Supamas said CKP is in talks with strategic partners about joint solar farm development.
CKP targets boosting its power generating capacity to 4,000 MW within a decade from 874.5 MW now.
The company now has three ongoing projects _ the 120-MW Bang Pa~in cogeneration plant and the Nam Bak and Xayaburi hydropower plants in Laos with capacity of 160 MW and 1,285 MW, respectively.
A combined 3 billion baht has been allocated for these projects.
CKP projects revenue growth of 20% to 6.8 billion baht next year on the back of full-year operation of its Bang Pa~in power plant.
Shares of CKP closed unchanged yesterday on the SET at 12.20 baht in trade worth 10.2 million baht.