The 1,285-megawatt (MW) Xayaburi hydroelectric power plant in Laos has begun distributing power from the first generator unit to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), says SET-listed CK Power Plc (CKP).
Yesterday, the power business arm of SET-listed construction firm Ch. Karnchang announced the Xayaburi power plant has started commissioning distribution of electricity during this operating period for Egat.
Egat approved the unit being ready for operation, said Thanawat Trivisvavet, managing director of CKP.
"The first generator has been running smoothly and continuously without any concerns or problems," he said.
The Xayaburi power plant consists of seven power generators, all sold to Egat through the 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Tha Li district, Loei province.
CKP holds a 30% stake with Natee Synergy Co (25%), Electricite du Laos (EdL) (20%), Electricity Generation Plc (12.5%), Bangkok Expressway and Metro (7.5%) and PT Sole (5%).
Beginning construction in 2012, the Xayaburi power plant is the first mega run-of-river power plant on the lower Mekong basin that has invested substantially in mitigating the environmental and social impact of sediment flushing and fish-passing facilities.
Mr Thanawat expects other power generators will begin operating by the fourth quarter of 2019 as planned by Egat.
When all seven units are fully operational, the eighth unit turbine generator with 60MW will be distributed to EdL under a power purchase agreement via the 115kV transmission system in Laos, he said.
"More than 98% of the whole project has been completed," said Mr Thanawat.
He said the Xayaburi power plant is expected to be a key contributor to CKP's operating performance when it achieves full operation by 2019.
CKP aims to operate 5,000MW by 2025, up from 2,167MW in 2018, as the company seeks business opportunities both domestically and overseas.
In 2018, CKP hit an all-time high with revenue of 9.12 billion baht, up 30% year-on-year, and recorded net profit of 599 million baht, up 277%.
Mr Thanawat said CKP plans to focus on renewable power projects this year by expanding development and operation of solar rooftops and farms, totalling six projects with a combined capacity of 6.75MW. All projects are expected to operate throughout this year.