The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved a three-baht cut in the price per kilowatt hour for major electricity users who reduce consumption from April 10-20, when natural gas supplies from Myanmar will be disrupted for annual system maintenance.
The reduction in supply from Myanmar's Yadana gas block for maintenance could lead to the risk of power blackouts if the industrial sector, the biggest user, does not cut back on consumption during that period.
April is usually one of the hottest months of the year with very high demand for electricity. Imported gas from Myanamar fuels a high pecentage of Thailand's power generation capability.
Energy commissioner Kraisi Karnasuta said the regulator wanted consumption cut on four days in particular -- April 10, 17, 18 and 20 -- with the target to cut the usage each day by 500 megawatts.
The regulators will call a meeting with representatives of the Federation of Thai Industries and the Board of Trade of Thailand to discuss the issue and seek voluntary cooperation.
Last year the ERC asked businesses to cut power consumption by 250 megawatts during a gas supply disruption from block A18 of the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (JDA). In response, major companies reduced consumption by 247 MW, which left regulators cynical of the idea that voluntary reductions could work.