MDX Public Company Limited partnered with Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI) of Kasetsart University for Eucalyptus plantation (specifically K7 and K2019) on the area of approximately 842 Rai. Eucalyptus is a perennial plant of 25 – 50 M in height and 1-2 M diametre. It takes 3 – 5 years to grow, with a calorific value of 5,000 – 7,000 Cal/g.
The Independent Power Producer (IPP) was selected by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. It is a 350 MW combined cycle power plant located in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province. It is operated by Eastern Power and Electric Company Limited, in which GMS Power Public Company Limited holds 32% shares, together with the following co-investors:
Marubeni Corporation holds 28% shares (presently transferred to a subsidiary called Axia Power Holdings B.V.). Total Gas and Power Thailand S.A. (TOTAL), the world’s top 5 power company from France, holds 28% shares. China Development Industrial Bank Inc., a leading Taiwanese industrial bank, holds 12% shares. Bang Bo Power Plant underwent testing and came into operation for commercial power production in 2003.
Theun Hinboun Power Plant is the first power plant under MDX Public Company Limited and operated by GMS Lao Company Limited (in which GMS Power Public Company Limited holds 100% shares) via Theun Hinboun Power Company Limited, which is a joint-venture of GMS Lao Company Limited holding 20% shares, Electricite Du Laos (EDU) holding 60% shares, and Nordic Hydropower AB holding 20% shares.
Theun Hinboun is a hydropower plant of 210 megawatts as well as the first power plant in Laos operated by an overseas private company for power generation and distribution to Thailand for the term of 30 years (renewable). It is also the first power plant in Laos with the sale agreement with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). It was commercially built and came into operation in 1883.
Later, there was an agreement between Theun-Hinboun Power Company and The Government of Lao PDR to allow the company to expand the project to 500 megawatts, leading to the bigger volume to be distributed to EGAT by 440 megawatts, with the remaining 60 megawatts distributed to EDU. There was also the amendment to the distribution agreement of Theun-Hinboun Power Plant and EGAT to accommodate the increased volume.
With awareness of taking part in an effort toward carbon neutrality to tackle global warming, MDX Public Company Limited is set to implement the 19.90 MWp Floating Solar Project and distribute the power for internal use within Gateway City Industrial Estate. The installation will be at the estate reservoir, with capacity for up to 48.00 MWp.
Phase 1 with capacity of 19.90 MWp is expected to begin at the end of 2023, with target completion in 2025.
MDX Public Company Limited hired Ciel & Terre (France) as an expert in the design and installation of floating solar panels on the reservoir (with capacity of 7 million cubic meters on the area of around 450 Rai) for the pilot project and the studies of power production to be connected to distribution system of Provincial Electricity Authority to be used within Gateway City Industrial Estate. installation was implemented on the reservoir space of around 1 Rai.
Power production is approximately 410 kWh per day. The power will be used for the water supply system of Gateway City Industrial Estate. The past performance showed the cost saving for electricity cost of around 80,000 Baht per month or carbon dioxide reduction of around 96.15 ton CO2 per year, equivalent to forestation of around 12,018 trees or on the space of 30 Rai.