WHA Utilities and Power Plc (WHAUP), the utility business arm of Thailand's largest industrial estate developer and operator WHA Corporation Plc (WHA), plans to develop solar rooftop power-generating systems in its industrial zones and warehouses to provide power to clients.
Chief executive Wisate Chungwatana said the company to develop 100 megawatts of power-generating capacity in the first stage over the next few years from the rooftops of its ready-to-build factories and warehouses with a total area of 2.1 square metres.
This project excludes 3 million sq m of warehouses rooftops sold to clients. WHA is also in possession of thousands of rai of undeveloped land.
WHA has developed and operates nine industrial estates, located mostly in the Eastern Seaboard, spanning a combined 30,000 rai. Almost 800 occupants use the estates, he said.
The solar rooftop project is expected to be applied to its clients later, with the business model finalised and announced to the public within the last quarter of this year, said Mr Wisate.
Before announcing the business plan for solar rooftops, WHAUP is expected to pilot a solar rooftop project on its warehouse on Bang Na-Trat Road, with a capacity of 0.9MW.
Mr Wisate said the company plans to implement its own solar generating system although it remains unclear whether the energy policymaker will deregulate solar energy to allow the company to sell surplus power to state utilities, since WHAUP can sell power to the clients anyway.
"It is worth investing since the costs of development of solar power is declining and we don't need to sell the power to the state utilities anyway because we can sell the power to our clients," said Mr Wisate.
He said the capital expenditure for the project was expected to be at around US$1 million (33.3 billion baht).
WHAUP is has nearly competed the recycle waste water plant with a capacity of 7,500 cubic metres per day. The pilot project in Chon Buri is aimed at developing the know-how of water management and technology before the company focuses on the water business in the upcoming years, said Mr Wisate.
Chief finance officer Paopitaya Smutrakalin said the company is revising capital expenditure over the next five years in line with the changing business and domestic economic situation.
This year WHAUP has allocated a total capex of 2 billion baht for an ongoing power plant on commitment.
The plant has a power-generating capacity of 450MW, while another two power plants are about to start operations by 2019, which will raise total generation to 542MW.