Power plant opponents happy with study review

Power plant opponents happy with study review

The opponents of a planned coal-fired power plant in Krabi province have welcomed the cabinet’s decision to review the environmental and health impact assessments of the project.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday that concerned agencies had been told to review the EHIA, which would take at least a year to complete. A tripartite committee would be set up to ensure participation of the project opponents in the EHIA process.

"The government is duty-bound to find energy sources for the country. If we cannot build the plant and there's not enough electricity in the future [for the southern region], who should be held responsible?” Gen Prayut said. 

If the project is approved by all sides after the review, the Krabi plant will be completed by 2023-24. 

“But will it be in time to meet the power demand for provinces on the Andaman Coast? So we need to look at all the details carefully.”

Somnuak Klodsua of the Save the Andaman from Coal group said he was happy with the cabinet’s solution at this stage and thanked the government for listening to the protesters.

“But the question remains which agencies will review the EIA and EHIA. Will the one-year timeframe be enough? And how much people will be allowed to be involved?” Mr Somnuak noted. 

In the meantime, he said his group would not rally against the project unless the government broke its promise. 

Kittichai Engchuan, who is on a tripartite committee vetting the Krabi plant project and a key protest leader, said he was satisfied with Tuesday’s cabinet decision, saying it was in line with what Gen Prayut had informed the protesters during the weekend protest at Government House.

Prasitthichai Nunuan, coordinator of the Network for Saving the Andaman, which spearheaded the protest in Bangkok, said the group would issue a statement later and stood firm in its stance that the plant must not use coal.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (4)