Feasibility of a 1400 MW coal-fired power-plant in Thailand

Identification of political objectives is a very important part of making feasibility studies. Very often, energy projects are evaluated against narrow energy-sector objectives, such as securing “a sufficient energy supply” and/or securing “reasonable energy prices”. Established technologies using fossil fuels are chosen, while new technologies with less pollution are regarded too risky or too expensive. Meanwhile, most countries have a number of important national objectives beside the energy sector, such as “decreasing imports”, “creating better employment”, “development of new products for export,” etc. Very often, such objectives are not directly included in feasibility studies of energy projects, even though new technologies are likely to fulfil these objectives better than many established technologies. Based upon the case of a planned new 1400 MW coal-fired power station in Prachuap Khiri Khan in Thailand, this paper performs a feasibility study, in which a power-plant project and a proposed technical alternative are assessed in relation to a wide range of specific and general official development objectives for Thailand. The current plans of implementing a coal-fired power plant at Prachuap Khiri Khan is indeed not rational and alternatives exist, which are more suitable for Thailand in terms of economic growth, employment, rural development, industrial development and environmental sustainability.