TPCH to take part in waste-to-power bids
MAI-listed TPC Power Holding Plc (TPCH), the country’s biggest biomass power generator, plans to enter auctions for two refuse-derived fuel (RDF) power projects in Bangkok at a combined development cost of 13.4 billion baht.
This move is part of diversification away from relying on power generation from biomass (the waste from crops) and towards waste-to-power methods such as RDF.
TPCH earlier won its first RDF auction in November 2017 from the Nonthaburi provincial administration for a capacity of 9.5 megawatts. That project is under construction and will commence commercial operation in 2021.
Kanoktip Chanpalangsri, chairwoman of TPCH’s executive board, said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will open online bidding in early 2019 to seek developers and operators for the two new RDF power plants in On Nut and Nong Khaem districts.
The two locations are home to the largest landfills serving Bangkok residents.
Ms Kanoktip said RDF power generation has strong potential because the government is tackling the massive volume of waste in metropolitan areas across Thailand.
RDF is seen as a crucial solution. Energy policymakers in March launched 12 RDF projects under the Quick Win initiative at a combined capacity of 78MW.
“TPCH aims to increase the capacity from RDF projects to 50MW in the next couple of years from only 9.5MW now,” Ms Kanoktip said.
Total power generating under TPCH’s operations is set to expand to 250MW of capacity by 2020 from 130MW now.
“Our fast expansion is teaming up with state agencies to develop and operate biomass power plants, as well as enhance our competitiveness among peers in the renewable energy sector,” Ms Kanoktip said. “TPCH plans to collaborate with communities of agricultural growers to develop biomass raw material fuel from giant king grass.”
Under the Raak Kaew Energy Crops scheme, development of giant king grass promises a new raw material for biomass. This method not only comes at a lower cost than for other crop waste, but also avoids interruptions in various raw material feedstock.
Giant king grass is a fast-growing, highyield and perennial grass that can be developed for both bioenergy and animal feed.
The grass is not genetically modified or invasive. It grows in a variety of soil conditions and does not compete with food crops.
Giant king grass can also be harvested in the first year, whereas other crops may take 1-2 years before the first harvest.
“So, TPCH is planning to encourage new grass growers and purchases with reasonable prices for returning to the growers,” Ms Kanoktip said.
A pilot project was done for several years through TPCH’s wholly owned Mahachai Green Power Co. TPCH reported to the Stock Exchange of Thailand in March that it was pleased with the results after years of testing.
The project was a co-development with Bio-Plant Raw Material Co, with experimentation in energy from different resources such as biomass, biogas, solar and wind.
TPCH plans a second pilot project in Nakhon Sawan’s Mae Wong district on a grass plantation area of 1,600 rai.
The company aims for stabler raw material resources for renewable power.
TPCH shares closed yesterday on the Market for Alternative Investment at 10.50 baht, down 20 satang, in trade worth 10 million baht.