Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Company Limited (RATCH) announced that the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Company Limited (PNPC),its jointly owned entity, has successfully entered into a 27-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). The agreement signing was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on February 6, 2013.

Mr.Noppol Milinthanggoon, RATCH’s Chief Executive Officer, said the success of PPA is a turning point of the project which is moving from development to construction phase. It will take 60 months for construction before commercial operation date (COD) starting in 2018. About 90 percent of electricity, equivalent to 370 megawatts or 1,547 GWH per year, generated by the Xe-pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric power project will be distributed to EGAT while the remaining provided to Lao PDR's power system. The project is expected to well serve increasing power demand of the two countries. 

"The 410-megawatt Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy project with THB 32 billion cost will start construction in the first quarter of this year. Its electricity will be distributed to EGAT through 500 kV transmission line to Ubon Ratchathani sub-station.  The Company is confident that the project will be completed as scheduled, which will enhance our financial stability and strengthen company's cash flow", added Mr.Noppol.

The Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric project, located in Attapue and Champasak provinces in Lao PDR, is operated by PNPC, a partnership between RATCH, SK Engineering and Construction, Korea Western Power and Lao Holding State. PNPC has been officially granted a 27-year concession agreement from the Government of Lao PDR to develop, construct and operate the project since October 2012.

RATCH currently has 6,303-megawatt installed capacity according to its equity holding in operated and developing projects. It recorded 4,586.5 megawatts capacity from domestic projects and 1,716.5 megawatts from investments in Lao PDR and Australia.

For more information, please contact:

Public Relations Department

WiwanPhayakvichien, NuannangChangadveja

Tel. 0 2794 9941, 0 2794 9944

Email: wiwanp@ratch.co.th