Thailand: GE Renewable Energy Signs 60 MW Wind Deal

GE Renewable Energy announced it has signed a contract with Khao Kor Wind Power Co., Ltd., to supply wind turbines for the Khao Kor wind farm in Petchaboon, Thailand. The 60 MW project is expected to supply power to the northern part of the country, generating enough equivalent energy to power approximately 36,000 Thai households for a year.

“This region has huge potential for wind power, and our technology is competitive, reliable and innovative,” said Peter Cowling, general manager of GE’s wind business in the Asia Pacific region. “GE is committed to supporting local developers in Thailand, and we hope to continue collaborating with regional customers to build additional wind power capacity in the future.”

Wind energy has been making progress in Thailand. The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency’s (DEDE) Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) aims to increase the share of renewable electricity in Thailand’s total electricity mix from approximately 12 percent in 2014 to 25 percent by 2021.

“The Khao Kor wind farm will be GE’s first wind facility in the country,” said GE Thailand President & CEO Kovit Kantapasara. “GE is proud to help Thailand change its energy mix and reach its renewable energy goals.”

The 24 wind turbines that will deliver the power each utilize a 120 meter rotor diameter to provide 2.5 MW of power per unit. With its hub sitting atop a tubular steel tower 110 meters off the ground, the 2.5-120 specializes in increasing power yields for low-to-medium wind speed regions, like the conditions anticipated at the Khao Kor wind farm.

“We are delighted to collaborate with GE in this endeavor, as we aim to contribute to the country’s cleaner sources of energy,” says Dr. Surachet Tamronglak, managing director for Charoen Energy and Water Asia Co., Ltd. “We are anxious to begin construction on the project and expect to have the wind farm up and running by mid-2016.”