The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Energy for the construction of a new coal-fired power plant in the Northern region. This plant is intended to replace Mae Moh Power Plant Units 8 and 9, which will expire in 2563, and to enhance future electricity system stability. Mr. Thawatchai Chakphaisal, EGAT Deputy Governor for Fuel, revealed this on October 3, 2561.
If approved, EGAT will take approximately 3 years to construct this new power plant, which will be named "Mae Moh Power Plant Replacement 2." It will have a total capacity of 650 MW to replace Units 8 and 9 and must align with the new Power Development Plan (PDP) currently being drafted by the Ministry of Energy.
As for "Mae Moh Power Plant Replacement 1," which has a total capacity of approximately 650 MW and a 30-year operational lifespan, it is currently undergoing system testing and is expected to achieve commercial operation (COD) around this November. This power plant is located in Mae Moh District, Lampang Province, and utilizes Ultra Super Critical (USC) coal technology, which helps reduce sulfur dioxide emissions.
Currently, Mae Moh Coal-fired Power Plant has a total of 10 generating units (Units 4-13) with a total capacity of 2,400 MW. Units 4, 5, 6, and 7 are being replaced by Mae Moh Power Plant Replacement 1. As for Units 8 and 9, their replacement with Mae Moh Power Plant Replacement 2 is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Energy.
Regarding Mae Moh Power Plant Units 10-13, with a total capacity of 1,200 MW, they will expire around 2570. EGAT is considering the feasibility of constructing replacement power plants, as it views Mae Moh Power Plant as a key facility supporting electricity stability in the Northern region. If not replaced, there might be a reliance on purchasing electricity from abroad, which would destabilize Thailand's electricity system and lead to power loss from long-distance transmission.
