The Meeting of the Environmental Impact Prevention, Mitigation, and Monitoring Plan Supervision Committee for the Coal Handling Port Project of BLCP Power Company Limited No. 66-1/2018 was held on April 4, 2018, at the meeting room of Map Ta Phut Industrial Port Office, Rayong Province, with Ms. Nalinee Kanjanamaai acting as chairperson. The meeting acknowledged notifications regarding safety surveillance during the Songkran Festival in the industrial estate and the approval of the minutes of Meeting No. 65-4/2017.
Mr. Nopparat Wong-anurakchai from UAE Company Limited reported the results of environmental monitoring in January 2018, finding that noise levels in the power plant area were within standard limits (59.8-63.2 dBA, 24-hour average), and the quality of water discharged from the cooling water discharge canal of generating units 1 and 2, including mercury, cadmium, and chlorine, showed no detection for all indices, which complies with effluent standards. The maximum seawater temperature of 27.9°C also remained within the specified criteria.
Regarding seawater quality in Map Ta Phut Bay, most values complied with the National Environmental Board's announcement, except for the 24-hour average PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns) value, which exceeded the standard in late January 2018 due to seasonal weather conditions. Marine ecological monitoring found dominant phytoplankton and zooplankton species to be diatoms (Chaetoceros sp.) and copepod nauplii (Nauplius of Copepod), which are commonly found species.
Dr. Jirawan Champaneel from BLCP Power Company Limited summarized the operational results of the power plant and coal handling port from December 2017 to February 2018, with a total coal handling volume of 882,835 tons. The average sulfur content in 2018 was 0.50%, which is higher than the EIA requirement of 0.45% but still within the maximum per-shipment value of 0.70%. The company will plan its shipments to reduce sulfur content to meet the annual average. Additionally, the exported fly ash and bottom ash totaled 123,456.90 tons and 14,722.56 tons, respectively.
Air quality data discharged from the power plant stack from December 2017 to February 2018 showed that sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were within EIA standards. Opacity and particulate matter values increased slightly during periods of treatment system issues or machinery testing, but remained within the specified standard limits. The project also continuously carried out corporate social responsibility activities, such as organic farming projects and aquaculture farms, as well as supporting communities and various social activities.