Worlds largest hydro/solar floating power project Thailand

The consortium of BGRIM Power – Energy China , comprising  B Grimm Power Plc (BGRIM) and China Energy Engineering Group Shanxi Electric Power Engineering Co Ltd. (Energy China) has signed a EPC contract to build the world’s largest hydro-floating solar hybrid project for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat).

BGRIMM Power – Energy China consortium as selected bidder with the deal worth over Bt842 million, will construct and install a 45-MW solar power plant on water surface combining with existing hydropower of Egat.

Implementing this project is an important co-friendly energy scheme that will encourage and strengthen the kingdom’s security of power supply.

Egat’s Director Gen Somsak Rungsita, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence, representing Egat’s board of directors presided over the signing ceremony attended by Thepparat Theppitak, Egat Deputy Governor (Power Plant Development and Renewable Energy), BGRIM Chairman Dr Harald Link, BGRIM CEO Preeyanart Soontornwata, and  Wang Xinping, Chairman of Energy China at the Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok.

Gen Somsak said the project creates synergy between solar and hydro power, representing an important step in the development of green energy in Thailand and resolve an uncertain electricity supply from renewable energy.

This project’s development is consistent with the government’s policy to support electricity production from renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation according to the current Power Development Plan of Thailand (PDP2018).

Thepparat said the hybrid hydro-floating solar for Sirindhorn Dam and the  solar power plant generate power from sunlight during the day, along with output control  by the Energy Management System (EMS), allow continuous generation of electricity which will enhance reliability of the country’s overall power supply.

In the future, an energy storage system would potentially be applied with the project to increase  reliability  for renewable energy production.

The solar panels selected for the project are crystalline double glass module which is suitable for being installed on the surface of water, also the solar panels, inverters and cables will be installed on HDPE plastic floating platform, with UV resistance ability. It is eco-friendly, not dangerous to the environment and aquatic animals. The project will be installed on  a surface area of 450 rai at low cost of investment by sharing facilities with the existing transmission system, transformers, and high voltage substations etc.

The project is expected to complete within 12 months from now and commercial operation date (COD) was set in December 2020.

BGRIM Chairman Dr Link said that entering into this contract marks another milestone for BGRIM to demonstrate its potential in engaging all dimensions of energy development.

He noted that the hydro-floating solar hybrid project at Sirindhorn Dam is regarded as a major step in the development of renewable energy in Thailand.

It also enables BGRIM to increase the potential and standards in the development of robust renewable energy business and serving government’s policies. Our participation in this project will open up opportunities for other floating solar projects.

In partnership with a global partner, Energy China,  one of the world’s largest comprehensive energy solutions provider and a major state owned- conglomerate of the People Republic of China with high potential and cost-effective advantages in procurement, allows the highest standard of engineering and of construction. We, the consortium, is confident that the project will achieve COD with international benchmark, Dr Link added.