Thailand factories urged to cut power use

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BANGKOK, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Thai government, as part of an energy-saving effort, has asked factories to cut power consumption by 1,200 megawatts, about 10 percent.

Industry Ministry Secretary Witoon Simachokedee said the plant involves cooperation from more than 70,000 factories, which consume 12,000 MW -- 40 percent -- of Thailand's daily electricity consumption, the Bangkok Post reported Thursday.

"All factories inside and outside industrial estates should have developed their own energy-saving plan to avoid a power crisis in the long term," Witoon said.

He said the government is only asking for cooperation but added any such gesture would be taken into consideration when renewing factory licenses.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand has designated three main regions that are at risk of being hit with brownouts, the Post said.

The report said this year's power reserves have fallen to less than below the average of 1,200 MW as a Myanmar natural gas field, which supplies Thailand, gets ready for maintenance in April.