Thailand has revealed plans to build almost 3 GW of floating solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to boost its clean energy share.
State-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) says it will build 16 floating PV farms with a combined capacity of more than 2.7 GW, using nine hydroelectric reservoirs.
Its plans include 500 MW of capacity, build in two phases at the Sirikit Dam, and. Over 770 MW of capacity in three phases at the Bhumibol Dam. EGAT said that the solar farms would be brought on-line between 2020 and 2037.
EGAT said that if all the solar farms are built, floating solar will account for one tenth of the country’s clean energy sources. Locating the projects at its hydroelectric power plant will help the company reduce infrastructure costs, including grid connections.
It added that it is also considering installing battery storage at some of the solar sites.
EGAT will open the bidding for the first floating solar project in May 2019, it said. The first project is a 2 billion bhat, 45 MW installation at Sirindhorn Dam.
Thailand has set a target for renewable energy to make up 27 % of overall capacity by 2037.
