Bangkok: 8 Mar. - The Energy Regulatory Commission Office is open to listening to opinions on electricity prices for May-August 2024 into 3 options, reflecting costs and outstanding burden to EGAT of another 99,689 million baht. The lowest electricity price is proposed, which is to fix the electricity price at 4.18 baht per unit, with a maximum of 5.4357 baht per unit, while the first electricity peak of the year 2024 occurred yesterday evening (March 7). Mr. Khomkrit Tantrawanit The Secretary-General of the Energy Regulatory Commission, as the Energy Regulatory Commission spokesperson, said that from the situation of decreased demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world market because major LNG buyers such as China, Japan, and South Korea have sufficient LNG reserves, causing LNG prices in The world market and the Asian market continued to decline. Resulting in estimating the cost of producing electricity around May-Aug. 2024 decreased significantly lower than Jan.-Apr. 2024. Therefore, it is consid ered an appropriate time for EGAT's outstanding debt to enhance liquidity and maintain long-term stability. The Energy Regulatory Commission therefore considers the FT fee to be collected in installments. May-August 2024 at the rate of 39.72 satang per unit, along with repaying EGAT debt of 14,000 million baht, resulting in average electricity trade over the period May-August still maintains the level at 4.18 baht per unit as proposed by EGAT. In the meeting No. 11/2024 (896th time) On March 6, 2024, the Energy Regulatory Commission resolved to acknowledge the burden of actual electricity production costs for the period September - December 2023 and to approve the results of FT estimation calculations for the period. May - August 2024, ready for the Office of the Energy Regulatory Commission to take the estimated FT values and guidelines for paying EGAT's actual costs to listen to opinions in various cases. Via the Office of the Energy Regulatory Commission website from 8 - 22 March 2024 as follows: Case 1 (Reimbursement of all outstanding costs in one installment) divided into an estimated retail FT cost that reflects costs from May - August 2024, amounting to 19.21 satang per unit. and money collected to pay EGAT's outstanding cost burden in the amount of 99,689 million baht in one installment or 146.03 satang per unit. A total of FT charge is 165.24 satang per unit for May - August 2024. When combined with the base electricity charge of 3.7833 baht per unit, the average electricity charge is 165.24 satang per unit. (excluding VAT) increased to 5.4357 baht per unit Case 2 (Reimbursement of outstanding costs in 4 installments) divided into an estimated retail FT cost that reflects costs from May - August 2024 in the amount of 19.21 satang per unit. and money collected to pay EGAT's outstanding cost burden in the amount of 99,689 million baht within 4 installments, amounting to 24,922 million baht or 36.51 satang per unit. This makes the FT fee charged at 55.72 satang per unit for May - August 2024. When combi ned with the base electricity fee of 3.7833 baht per unit, it makes the average electricity fee charged. (excluding VAT) to 4.3405 baht per unit Case 3 (Fix the FT value equal to the current period as EGAT proposes or pay back the outstanding cost burden in approximately 7 installments) divided into estimated retail FT values that reflect costs from May - August. . 2024 amount 19.21 satang per unit and money collected to pay EGAT's outstanding cost burden of 99,689 million baht, approximately 7 installments, amounting to 14,000 million baht or 20.51 satang per unit. This causes the FT charge to remain the same at 39.72 satang per unit for May - August 2024. When combined with the base electricity charge of 3.7833 baht per unit, it makes the average electricity charge. (excluding VAT) is 4.1805 baht per unit, equal to the average electricity cost in the current period. However, in all three cases mentioned above This does not include the outstanding gas burden arising from the policy that allows state enterp rises that import gas to charge a fixed gas price for September - December 2023 in accordance with the NEPC resolution. Therefore, there will be a difference in gas prices. that actually occurred and the price of gas charged (AF Gas). The said burden is still outstanding with PTT (only in the part of electricity production for sale into the system) in the amount of 12,076 million baht and is still outstanding. EGAT in the amount of 3,800 million baht 'Trend of electricity prices next period Therefore, there is a possibility of charging 4.18 baht per unit as EGAT proposes because it is considered appropriate in terms of politics, the people, and EGAT's liquidity. We believe that this is a figure that all parties can accept. In addition, this period is summer, so we do not want the electricity bill to affect the feelings of the people. However, People must use electricity economically. Taking into account that electricity production in Thailand relies heavily on natural gas, if the electricity consumption is h igh Domestic production tends to decline. There will be large quantities imported,' Mr. Khomkrit said. The Energy Regulatory Commission has opened for comments on the estimated FT cost and guidelines for paying EGAT's actual costs through the Energy Regulatory Commission website from 8 - 22 March 2024. The main factor that causes the cost of electricity production in May - August 2024 to decrease is mainly due to the cost of LNG prices that continue to decrease and result in the estimated price of Pool Gas decreasing from 333 million baht per million. BTU is 300 million baht per million BTU. However, although the Erawan field plans to gradually increase the natural gas production volume from 400 to 800 million cubic feet per day in April 2024, the estimated natural gas volume that obtained from the Gulf of Thailand for use in electricity production remained at the same level or decreased slightly. In addition, natural gas from Myanmar fields tends to continue to decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to impor t LNG to supplement the missing natural gas supply and to supplement the demand for natural gas for electricity generation that is increasing due to the current warmer weather and the upcoming summer. There will be a request to increase LNG imports during March-May by another 3 boat trips. It was found that the highest electricity demand of this year has occurred (first peak) on March 7, 2024 at 7:47 p.m. with an electricity consumption of 32,508.2 MW, which is likely to increase. The Energy Regulatory Commission therefore invites Electricity users frequently check electrical equipment such as refrigerators and air conditioners. to have good operating condition To save electricity usage during hot weather. This will reduce the import of LNG, reduce the occurrence of a new peak in electricity use (New Peak Demand) in the electrical system, and also help reduce the burden on electricity bills of electricity users themselves.-517-Thai News Agency Source: Thai News Agency