Cabinet has approved the Provincial Electricity Authority's (PEA) proposal for a billion-baht computerised "smart grid" power supply for Pattaya resort city of Chon Buri province.
Deputy government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the cabinet agreed at its weekly meeting on Tuesday to the Interior Ministry’s proposal for a smart grid costed at 1.069 billion baht, with Pattaya being chosen for the pilot project.
Under the proposal, the PEA will borrow 800 million baht from domestic sources and set aside 269 million baht of revenue for the project, Maj Gen Sansern said.
The project, to be implemented over three years from 2015 to 2017, is aimed at studying new electricity technology and testing the design and operation of the project, with the intention of later developing smart grid networks in other areas.
A smart grid is a modern electrical network that utilises computer software programs in the management, production and distribution of electricity.
It can link with other electricity networks and clean energy sources. It ensures power resources are used to the maximum benefit for consumers, efficiently and reliably.
Initially, the PEA had sought 1.485 billion baht for the pilot project, but the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) found some parts of the the proposal were unclear and cut the budget to 1.069 billion baht, Maj Gen Sansern said.