The state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is operating its first 500-kilovolt (kV) high-voltage transmission line to the South to boost power security to the region and aid the post-pandemic economic recovery.
The transmission will double electricity generation capacity and help alleviate inadequate supply.
Kitti Petchsanthad, Egat deputy governor for the transmission system, said the state enterprise has completed its first phase of south-bound transmission line maintenance and begun to generate power via its 500kV high-voltage lines from Bang Saphan district in Prachuap Khiri Khan to stations in Surat Thani and Phuket.
The transmission line more than doubles power transmission capacity to the South from 700 megawatts (MW) to 1,600MW per year.
Mr Kitti said the project will boost electricity supply in response to increasing demand.
In late 2016, Egat launched a project to draw power from the Central region to supply the southern and western provinces. Construction of the transmission lines was completed last month.
"The South is a tourist destination that requires more electricity supply as the region welcomes more tourists as Covid-19 restrictions ease, especially in Phuket which has the highest demand for electricity and is an important tourism location in Thailand," said Mr Kitti.
The transmission line will increase Phuket's power generation to 1,170MW and help reduce power cut incidents across the South. The South suffers frequent power cuts in many areas due to inadequate power supply.