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Don't stall on privatisation, Egat told


Post reporters

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) could not use its planned hydro-power plant along the Salween River as a pretext to postpone privatisation by 2004, said Energy Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana.

``The privatisation of Egat must be completed as scheduled in 2004. The authority cannot delay it by using the 200-billion-baht hydro-power plant project as a pretext because they are not related,'' Mr Pongthep said yesterday.

``The project is one of co-operation between the governments of Burma and Thailand and is proposed on a long-term basis. So, there is a chance of additional fund-raising in the future.''

Previously, Egat governor Sitthiporn Ratanopas had expressed concern that the privatisation of the authority, if implemented as scheduled, would impede its mobilisation of funds for investment in the Salween project.

Egat has also disagreed with a proposal by the Energy Policy and Planning Office (Eppo) to privatise electricity generating agencies through a new electricity supply arrangement.

Under the proposed approach, the power transmission system would be split off from Egat. Its power plants would be categorised into three groups of electricity generating units to curb its monopoly and encourage price competition for the benefit of the public.

But Egat believes the approach is impractical in Thailand. It wants to have the whole organisation privatised under a single banner, emulating PTT Plc, reasoning it would strengthen the organisation and put a possible increase in power charges on hold.

Mr Pongthep said a workshop would be held on Monday to discuss the best way to restructure the power industry. The conclusion would be forwarded to the National Energy Policy Council for consideration next month.


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