22 May 2011

Study Visit on Hydropower Generation at Srinakarind Dam

• Srinakarind Dam is a rockfill dam with impervious core.
• It has a storage capacity of 17,745 million m³.
• It is located on the Quae Yai River, a main tributary of the Mae Klong River.
• The powerhouse accommodates five generating unit totaling 720 MW in capacity consisting of three 120 MW conventional turbine generators and two 180 reversible pump turbine generators.
• Unit 1-3 of powerhouse were constructed in 1973 and started operation in 1980. In order to cope with the system’s growing peak requirements, Unit 4 and 5 (Thailand’s first reversible pump turbine) were installed.
• The pump storage unit 4 and 5 function as both water pumps and turbine generators. During off-peak hours, they use the excess energy produced by base load plants to pump water into the upper reservoir and later release the water to produce the needed electric energy during peak hours.
• Srinakarind power plant is connected with the country’s grid system by a 230 kV double circuit transmission line of 187 kilometer length which links Srinakarind switchyard with Band Pong 2 substation.
• A 115 kV single circuit transmission line of 72 kilometer length is also built to connect the switchyard with Kanchanaburi substation.
• EGAT assigned AIT to conduct an ecological and environment impact assessment and recommend mitigative measure. Investigation covered water quality, fishery, archaeological effect, mineral resources and impacts on inhabitants.
• EGAT carried out a resettle program, compensating affected villages for their lost property due to the project implementation.
• 960 families were evacuated.
• For resettlement, each family was provided with 20 Rais of land complete with public facilities and community services such as water and electricity, supplies, roads, schools, health care centers, temples etc.
• The compensation cost 52 million Bahts.

Questions and Answers

1.How do you monitor upstream?

Answer from Srinakarind Dam

• We got ISO 14001 for operation and maintenance of power house.
• Fish cannot come upstream to the dam. There is no impact because upstream of reservoir is a big forest.
• Thailand controls water by water gate and separates salt water from water.
• 10 millions of fish are produced to release in reservoir.

2. How do you control water?

Answer from Srinakarind Dam

• The potential of Thailand’s water is not like other countries.
• We have the small Chao Phraya River.
• Thailand does not have much fresh water.
• We use dam to control waste water from industry.

3. How many kw/h can generate electricity last year?

Answer from Srinakarind Dam

• 4m³ can generate 1 unit
• 80% of Thailand’s dam usage is irrigation and 20% is for power generation.