Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IN THE
February 2003
ABBREVIATIONS
NOTES
Page
I. INTRODUCTION 1
A. Physical Environment 8
B. Biological Environment 9
C. Sociocultural Environment 10
IV. ALTERNATIVES 11
A. Physical Environment 12
B. Biological Environment 13
C. Socioeconomic Impacts 14
IX. CONCLUSIONS 17
APPENDIXES
I. INTRODUCTION
2. The main Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was prepared by the
Environmental Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University of Thailand. The Power
Technology Centre of Nottingham, United Kingdom, carried out the three-dimensional modeling
of the cooling water discharge. BLCP obtained approval for the EIA for the plant from the Office
of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP) in January 2001. BLCP also obtained approval
for the coal unloading facility EIA from OEPP in February 2002. A community consultation
program to fulfill the Thai Government EIA requirements, was conducted at the start of the plant
EIA investigation and a series of public consultation meetings were carried out in accordance
with Thai practices. The public consultation has been completed and was acknowledged by
OEPP in November 2002. On 21 February 2003, BLCP conducted a public consultation meeting
on the impact of the completed EIA report on the Project, in accordance with the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) requirements.
3. The proposed Project is classified by ADB under category A, a project with significant
potential impacts if the appropriate mitigation measures are not properly implemented and
operated. Thus, this summary EIA is circulated to ADB’s Board of Directors 120 days prior to
requested loan approval. The summary EIA is also available on ADB’s web site. The original
EIA reports are in Thai. Copies of this summary EIA and its Thai translation are available at the
ADB project office and at the project proponent’s office. The main EIA reports are also available
on request at ADB’s project office. The EIA and its summary were prepared by BLCP and
circulated for comments and suggestions from interested parties. ADB’s evaluation of the
Project’s impacts will include comments and suggestions received that are relevant to the
Project, and will be included in the loan document submitted to ADB’s Board of Directors.
4. Under Thai law, the transmission lines are exempted from the EIA process if they do not
pass through environmentally sensitive areas. EGAT is responsible for planning, designing, and
constructing the transmission lines from the Project to the main national grid. EGAT, in
consultation with OEPP, has established that an EIA is not required, as the transmission line does
not pass through environmentally sensitive areas. The environmental assessment of the
transmission lines is included in this summary EIA.
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3
Item Data
6. Each of the two steam generation boilers will be fitted with advanced low nitrogen oxide
burners and an associated multi stage combustion system capable of burning a wide range of
imported coal, and with a seawater flue gas desulfurization plant. The steam turbine will be of
well-proven design for extended base load operation, load cycling, and two-shift operations. A
process diagram is shown in Figure 5.
7. The plant ancillary systems will include all items necessary to ensure reliable operation
of the plant and compliance with agreed environmental commitments, including a wastewater
treatment plant, ash conditioning, telecommunications, and lights. Seawater will be used for
cooling the main condenser and as auxiliary cooling water for other plant equipment.
8. The net power produced by BLCP will be fed to the plant’s 500 kilovolt (kV) switchyard.
EGAT will construct a transmission line from BLCP’s switchyard to the Pluak Daeng substation,
which forms part of the national 500 kV grid. The 47 kilometer (km) transmission line, known as
the new transmission facilities, will be designed, constructed, tested, commissioned, owned,
operated, and maintained by EGAT. EGAT will be responsible for acquiring ownership rights,
rights of way, easements, and continued access rights necessary for the construction,
operation, maintenance, upgrading, replacement, and removal of the new transmission facilities.
The overhead lines between the BLCP switchyard and Pluak Daeng substation will be 500 kV
double circuits, which will ensure transmission of the full contracted output even with one circuit
out of service.
9. Imported high quality coal from Australia and Indonesia, with a maximum sulfur content
of 0.70% per cargo and 0.45% annual average, will be transported by sea to the plant through a
coal unloading pier at the plant. The berthing facilities will be designed to accommodate vessels
up to 170,000 dead weight tons. The active coal stock and the reserve stockpile are each
approximately 350,000 tons, providing a total of approximately 60 days coal supply. Light fuel
oil, with a maximum sulfur content of 0.25%, will be trucked to the plant from the adjacent oil
refineries and will be stored in two 2,000 cubic meter (m3) tanks. The light fuel oil will be used
only for start up, flame stabilization, and low load operation.
10. The ash produced by each boiler will be trucked to an offsite ash storage area if it is not
sold as cement replacement, for manufacture of building products, or for construction works.
The hauling trucks have a maximum capacity of 20 tons and covers that will ensure that ash will
not be dispersed during transportation. The ash storage area will permanently store all
unmarketable combustion wastes generated by the station. The waste storage system will be
designed, constructed, and operated to comply with all applicable regulations and good
environmental management practices.
11. Freshwater will be supplied to the plant by the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand
(IEAT) mainly to produce high quality water for the boilers, potable water for domestic use, and
water for the coal and ash handling systems. IEAT is responsible for providing the infrastructure
to the site. IEAT is constructing the road infrastructure necessary for access to the site as well
as the requisite water and utility connections. The infrastructure will include a raw water supply
to meet BLCP’s needs during construction and operations.
Figure 5: BLCP Coal-Fired Power Plant - Process Diagram
Steam Generator
0
Main Steam Line ; T= 541 C ,P = 172 bar G Flue Gas
FGD
HP Boiler
Deaera
Furnace ESP
Turbine LP
FGD
Air
ID FAN
Generator
STACK
700 MW LP LP IP HP
HP
FD FAN
Stacker / Reclaimer
Coal Pulverizer Coal Coal Stack Yard
Condenser
Hotwell
Cooling
Substation System
Electricity to EGAT Grid System Unloader Unloader
500 kV
Coal Ship
EGAT = Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Deaera = Deaerator, ESP = electrostatic precipitator, FD = forced duct, FGD = flue gas desulfurizer, G =
gage, HP = high pressure, ID = induced duct, IP = intermediate pressure, kV = kilovolt, LP = low pressure, MW = megawatt, P = pressure, T = temperature.
7
8
A. Physical Environment
12. The Project will be at Map Ta Phut, Rayong Province (Figure 1) on the east coast of
Thailand, 200 km from Bangkok. Map Ta Phut has been chosen as one of the major industrial
and economic centers for future development, as part of Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard
Development Program. Since its inception, the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate has grown
considerably and currently includes a national petrochemical complex, two refineries, several
steel processing plants, and a deepwater port. The Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate will provide
the Project with ideal infrastructure and support facilities, which will greatly assist the
construction and operation of the Project.
13. The area leased for the Project is within the newly developed outer eastern area at the
seaward entrance to the port of Map Ta Phut, and provides a suitable location for the coal
handling facility. The site is shown in Figure 2. IEAT has granted a 30 year land-use permit to
BLCP. The project site is approximately 3.0 km from the original shoreline. The power plant,
associated coal-unloading facility, and coal stockyard area will be on 96.4 hectares of land, that
has been partly developed by IEAT with the second stage of the Map Ta Put port development.
The National Environment Board approved IEAT’s reclamation September 1996.
14. The sea port and the public channel are 12.5 meters deep and this will be increased to
15-17 meters. The future water depth can accommodate up to 170,000 ton ships with some
restrictions of loaded draft, such as those that will be used to transport coal to the project.
15. The siting of BLCP’s power plant in the Map Ta Put industrial estate allows the Project to
share infrastructure and support facilities with many other major industrial plants. The location
also has space for a bulk cargo berth to be constructed adjacent to the power plant. The power
plant will create negligible disturbance to existing land use and minimal adverse impact to the
environment and surrounding communities.
16. Seismic surveys have revealed three Cenozoic sedimentary layers overlaying the
basement granites. The project area for the power plant and the area nearby are not in an
active seismic source zone and are not exposed to the risk of moderate to high intensity
earthquakes. The area is located at approximately the limit of the Mercalli scale’s no. III
maximum earthquake intensity, which is considered of low intensity. Therefore, the area is
relatively safe seismically.
17. The climate of Thailand is influenced by the tropical monsoon winds from the northeast
during winter (November to January), and for the rest of the year from the southwest. The
temperature inversion is not strong, and only happens during the early morning hours, at a
height of up to 50 meters (m). The average temperature varies from 25.0 degrees ceslius (°C) in
December to 29.4°C in April. The average rainfall varies from 15.1 millimeters (mm) in
December to 263.5 mm at the height of the rainy season in October. Relative humidity varies
over the same period from 70.0% to 94.0%. The average seawater temperature is 29°C, the
extreme range being 23.0–32.2°C. The highest tidal level is only 3.5 m and the maximum wave
height is 3.67 m.
18. The ambient air quality was monitored for 5 consecutive days from 12 to 16 July 1996, at
five locations within the air shed. The maximum 24 hr concentration of sulfur dioxide is 43
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micrograms (µg) per cubic meter (m3)1 and the minimum is not detectable; the average is 6
µg/m3. All the nitrogen dioxide concentrations were recorded at one µg/m3 for 1-hour averaging
time. The Thai 24 hour ambient standard for sulfur dioxide is 300 µg/m3 and for NO is 320
µg/m3 with 1-hour averaging time. The sulfur dioxide and NO concentration were very low,
indicating no evidence of high levels of industrial pollution. The only pollutant of significance was
total suspended particulates, which was noted at two sites close to highways where
concentrations of 92–417 µg/m3 were noted; the Thai ambient standard is 330 µg/m3 for 24 hour
averaging time. Thus, the air quality in the area was still good, but a number of factories and
plants are due to open or go to full operation during the coming years, including two oil
refineries. These later additions to the air shed were taken into account when modeling for air
quality in order to determine the cumulative impacts.
19. Noise levels were monitored continuously at four representative locations, chosen at
random, for three days during 7–14 August 1996, from which 24 hour levels were 60.2, 61.7,
55.6, and 56.4 decibels (dBA). These noise levels did not exceed the ambient standard noise
level, recommended by Pollution Control Department, of 70 dBA at the nearest sensitive
receptor.
20. The power plant will dispose of unmarketable coal ash in landfills. The disposal area is in
Tambol Tab Ma, Amphoe Muang, Rayong Province, about 16.9 km from the plant. The disposal
area is an old quarry and covers 16 hectares. BLCP completed soil surveys in this area and
analyzed groundwater quality. The groundwater in this area was found to be of poor quality. The
water was not good enough for consumption because pH values showed a weak acid quality
and some heavy metals were present. The water pH ranged from 5.5 to 6.7 compared to the
Thai drinking water standard of pH 7.0 to 8.5, manganese varied from 0.164 to 2.608 milligrams
(mg) per liter (l) compared with the standard of 0.3 mg/l, and total dissolved solids was 1,260
mg/l compared with the standard of 750 mg/l. Lead was 0.293 mg/l and arsenic 0.062 mg/l,
while the standard calls from nondetectable levels for both metals.
21. Seawater and sediment sampling was conducted at three stations around the power
plant site. This work revealed that salinity was 30.66–31.58 parts per thousand, dissolved
oxygen at a depth of 3.5 m was 95% saturated, and pH was 8.40–8.65. Plant nutrients essential
for the growth of marine phytoplankton were found to be at normal levels. The only adverse
factor was oil and grease concentrations at the surface, which ranged from 3.0 to 4.2 and were
in excess of the 0.5 mg/l standard for seawater in industrial zones. Analysis for trace elements
in the water column and bottom sediments indicated that only two elements, mercury and
cadmium, were found in some samples to be at higher concentration than the permitted values
for an industrial zone.
B. Biological Environment
22. Corals at Ko Saket, a small island about 1.8 km from the project site, and at the adjacent
Hin-Yai rock, about 2.5 km distant, have been under stress for some time mainly due to
sedimentation. The extent of the corals was recorded. Phytoplankton and zooplankton were
recorded at all three monitoring stations near the power plant site but no meiobenthic organisms
were found in the bottom sediments. Fish larvae were only found at one monitoring station
during studies for the coal unloading facility.
1
The Thai air quality and emission standards are based on an air volume at 25°C and 1 atmosphere
pressure compared to commonly used standard cum at 0°C and 1 atmosphere pressure.
10
23. Onshore studies were arranged in three zones extending from the project site. Almost
the entire area extending about 15 km from the site had already been occupied and severely
disturbed by development. Only a small mountainous area in the outer zone, 10–15 km from the
site, remained largely unoccupied but had been severely disturbed and invaded. The inner zone
adjacent to the power plant site is largely allocated Map Ta Phut industrial use. Ko Saket, to the
east, is unoccupied and has sparse vegetation. The middle zone contains residential areas,
some agricultural activity and plantations, some natural woodland, industry, and (to the
northwest boundary of the zone) a small tree-covered hill that is part of the Khao Kra Proak
mountain range. According to information and data collected from the study area, no national
wildlife reserve exists or endangered species are known in the area.
24. The reclaimed project site contains no vegetation of any kind and comprises compacted
sand fill ready for development.
25. The proposed ash disposal pit is a quarry site that is used occasionally for extraction of
fill material, but not on the area designated for BLCP’s ash disposal site. The soil and lateritic
rocks have been excavated to depth of 6–8 m. The topsoil has been removed and the land is
bare of vegetation although algae and mosquito larvae were noted in the ponds that form during
the rainy season.
26. The transmission line will pass through farmlands used primarily for rice, corn, sorghum,
and cassava. Rubber, bananas, and coconut are also cultivated in the area.
C. Sociocultural Environment
27. The project site is in Amphoe Muang, Rayong Province. Rayong is in eastern Thailand
and covers 3,522 square kilometers. Amphoe Muang occupies 514.5 square kilometers. The
total population of Rayong as of December 1995 was 491,700, of which 105,400 people lived in
Amphoe Muang. At that time most of the people were employed in agriculture, only 10% were
employed in fisheries, and a growing number were moving into industrial jobs as the planned
eastern seaboard development progressed. In 1989, per capita income was B74,294 and by
1993, this had grown to B108,936 as a result of development.
28. The Map Ta Phut area has 25 villages with a total of approximately 30,000 people. Map
Ta Phut municipality is the seat of the Rayong provincial governor and staff. Most of the area’s
inhabitants are engaged in industries. The extensive industrial complexes are the area’s largest
employer since the inception of the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in 1984. Only 2 of the 25
villages are involved primarily in fishing-based activities. The nearest village to the BLCP site is
Ban Ta Kuan, which is along the coast approximately 4 km away. BLCP’s nearest neighbors are
petrochemical complexes. Nevertheless, the Map Ta Phut area does include residences,
government buildings, and schools that are relatively distant from the BLCP site and separated
from it by industrial facilities.
29. Map Ta Put Port started operations in 1992 and is serving the immediate needs of the
growing industrial complex developed in the adjacent hinterland under the Eastern Seaboard
Development Programme. The port terminals and industrial estate are owned by IEAT, but the
management and operation of the port terminals are assigned to leaseholders for a period of 30
years. Use of the port has steadily increased as industrial activity has developed. National
highway 3 provides the main access to the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate. A rail link provides
some opportunity for the carriage of goods and equipment. The project site is within this well-
developed port area and will therefore have very little visual impact on the surrounding area.
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30. Social infrastructure is well established in Rayong Province. At the time studies were
carried out the province had 290 schools, 111 pubic health service centers (including 6
community hospitals and 1 general hospital), 9 private hospitals, and 24 dental clinics.
31. Well-developed emergency services exist within the industrial area and all new
businesses are required to actively participate in and help to maintain them. Health and safety
requirements are given a high priority and this is reflected in the detailed documentation.
IV. ALTERNATIVES
33. Alternative Fuel. The National Energy Planning Office has prepared a power
development plan. Fuel and its sourcing is an important component of the energy development
strategy. At present, electricity is generated from power plants using natural gas and
hydropower. Small and older power plants operate on fuel oil. Although Thailand has natural
gas fields in Erawan and Bongkot, it has to purchase additional gas from neighboring countries
such as Malaysia and Myanmar. The natural gas supply is used also for the petrochemical
complex, fertilizer, and a wide range of high value chemicals. Thailand is also buying electricity
from hydropower sources in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Hydropower is dependent
on rainfall, and droughts can have a serious impact on the power supply. Natural gas and fuel
oil prices are determined by international markets, primarily by the supply from the Middle East,
and demand, from other industrialized countries in the region, such as Japan, the Republic of
Korea, and Singapore. Political instability in the Middle East could constrain fuel oil supply. Thai
coal reserve is primarily lignite coal with high sulfur content. Coal imported from Australia and
Indonesia provides an alternative energy source whose transport and availability is less affected
by the Middle East political conditions.
34. Alternative Location. The location of power plants is determined by the demand and
balancing of the capacity in the transmission system. Locating the power plant as close as
possible to the regional demand reduces power losses in the transmission line. The Eastern
Seaboard Development Area has one of the fastest growing power demands in the country.
Thus, EGAT has programmed the development of 1,400 MW in the region, and BLCP as the
winning bidder, decided to locate the power plant within the IEAT industrial area for following
reasons: (i) utilities, such as water supply and roads are present; (ii) the deepwater port is
available for receiving the needed coal; (iii) the area is zoned for heavy industries and the
surrounding areas are suitably planned for an environmental buffer zone; and (iv) the land is
newly reclaimed by IEAT and does not require any relocation or acquisition of private properties.
35. Alternative Technology. The main alternatives for firing coal to generate electricity are
(i) circulating fluidized bed combustion, (ii) pressurized circulating fluidized bed combustion, and
(iii) integrated gasification combined cycle. The circulating and pressurized circulating fluidized
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bed technologies are used in small power plants, and the cost per kilowatt is significantly higher
than for the large conventional pulverized coal-fired, steam generating plant to be used in the
Project. The integrated gasification combined cycle process is not yet fully developed. Thus, the
Project will use a conventional pulverized coal-fired process.
36. The Project is needed to (i) meet the specific requirements of EGAT for new power
generation capacity at an appropriate location on the main 500 kV power transmission network,
and (ii) achieve fuel diversity. The location was chosen because it provides the best available
arrangements and circumstances to minimize the impact of the power plant on the environment.
A. Physical Environment
1. During Construction
37. The site has been contained and partly reclaimed by IEAT. The site is reclaimed using
the dredged materials from the deepening of the port and ship passage into the port. The
environmental impacts of the reclamation activities are considered part of the background
impact that is outside the Project and is covered by a separate EIA of IEAT industrial
development. For dredging, BLCP has secured OEPP approval of the EIA of the coal unloading
facilities (para. 2).
38. The main impact of the Project during construction is from dust emitted during site
excavation and erection of structures, and noise from piling, transport of construction materials,
and the construction equipment. Standard engineering practices will be enforced on the
construction site, and primarily consist of (i) covering the construction materials or wetting them
during storage, (ii) wetting the construction area regularly, and (iii) cleaning the equipment
wheels and bodies of equipment that leaves the construction site. Workers will be provided with
earmuffs and regularly rotated away from construction areas with high noise levels. The
construction area is almost 3 km seaward from the coastline, and 10 km to major residential and
institutional areas such as school and public buildings. The construction noise is not expected to
affect the residential and institutional areas.
39. Sediment from stored construction materials may be carried with surface runoff during
heavy rainfall, and contaminate surface water. The stored construction materials will be covered
with canvass, and surface runoff directed to the settling pond on the eastern side of the plant
site.
2. During Operation
40. The air dispersion modelling took account of all available emission sources obtained
mainly from the OEPP database of the emissions in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate (existing)
and future expansion. The model and the emissions inventory was approved by OEPP in
reviewing the EIA. The model showed the maximum ground concentration of sulfur dioxide at
452 µg/m3 and of oxides of nitrogen at 368 µg/m3 for 1 hour average time. The model was
carried out using 0.95% sulfur in the coal. The Project will use coal with an average sulfur
concentration of 0.45% and will include a flue gas desulfurization unit. The industrial estate is
still evolving and it is difficult to predict the emissions from the other industries as their sizes,
processes and products have not been established. The Project will use low nitrogen oxide
burners. The emissions from the Project are estimated at 262 mg/m3 of sulfur dixoide, which is
13
lower than the 320 mg/m3 allowable under the Thai standard. Nitrogen oxides and particulate
emissions are estimated at 241 ppm and 43 mg/m3 compared with allowable emissions of 350
ppm and 120 mg/m3, respectively. The Project will be provided with an electrostatic precipitator
to remove 99.7% of particulate matter from the flue gas. In addition, the Project will be provided
with a 200 m stack to disperse the gaseous emissions.
41. Within the Project, the coal stockyard will be provided with water sprays to suppress
dust. The water supply will also feed firefighting hydrants. Stockyard management will minimize
the risk of overheating and spontaneous combustion of the coal by strictly limiting the time that
coal remains uncompacted. Long-term strategic coal stocks will be compacted and sealed. The
coal stockyard will be lined with an impermeable membrane to ensure that no percolate can
drain in to the sea. All water runoff from the coal stockpiles will be channeled to a collection and
settlement basin and will be reused for the coal dust suppression systems, including the
stockyard sprays. Any surplus water will be directed to the wastewater treatment plant before
discharge to the sea. Most coal conveyors and all transfer points will be fully enclosed to
minimize dust problems. Conveyors that cannot be fully enclosed will be fitted with wind guards
in accordance with good industry practice. A 6 m wind fence will be provided at the southern
end of the site to minimize dust carried out with the wind.
42. The ash will be properly conditioned by the addition of freshwater prior to transportation
to the disposal site. The trucks will be covered after loading to ensure that no ash escapes
during transportation, and truck bodies and wheels will be cleaned before every journey to
minimize the carrying of ash and dust onto the roadways.
43. Buildings housing noisy equipment will be designed and constructed with insulation to
reduce the noise. Personnel entering buildings will be provided with the necessary safety
equipment including earmuffs.
44. All contaminated water will be treated before discharge from the plant. Oil separators will
be provided to filter water from vulnerable areas before further treatment. Surplus water from
the coal stockyard, all process wastewater, run off from operating areas and demineralizer
wastes will be treated in a wastewater treatment plant using flocculation, clarification, and
neutralization processes. An activated sludge system will be provided to treat domestic sewage.
The ash disposal area will be lined with impervious material to prevent leachate contaminating
the groundwater. All water that comes into contact with the ash will be collected and drained to
a settlement and storage pond and will be reused for dust suppression. Any surplus water will
be treated before discharge from the site.
B. Biological Environment
1. Construction
45. The area has been contained and partially reclaimed by IEAT. Marine organisms in the
area have been disturbed by IEAT’s previous reclamation activities.
46. Approximately 43% of the 47 km of the transmission line passes through trees and
perennial cropland. Banana plants, rubber trees, and other tall trees will have to be cut. Another
50% of the transmission line passes through annual crops such as cassava, rice, sorghum, and
corn. Dislocation of the annual crops will be temporary as the area under the transmission right
of way can be replanted with those crops when construction is completed. The tree area,
especially the rubber plantation, will be converted to annual crops.
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47. The ecology in the ash disposal site is highly disturbed (para. 26).
2. Operation
48. The potential impacts during operation are primarily due to the hot water discharge from
the plant, surface runoff, and abstraction of cooling water. Marine life could be swept with the
current induced when the cooling water is pumped into the cooling system. This is minimized by
providing a screen at the inlet and constructing the inlet channel with as large cross sectional
area as possible to reduce the water velocity to less than 0.3 m/second. Computer modeling
has shown that the increase in seawater temperature of more than 3°C rise is limited to the 500
m mixing zone allowed by Thai regulations. Surface runoff is diverted to a settling pond to
reduce the dust and particulate matter prior to discharge to the sea. Domestic sewage and
process wastewater are treated prior to discharge to the sea. Chemical dosing of the cooling
water system will be closely controlled and monitored to ensure that residual chlorine levels are
well within permitted limits. Coal unloading operations have been designed to avoid discharges
into the sea. Thus, the residual impact on the marine environment will be at an acceptable level.
C. Socioeconomic Impacts
1. Construction
49. The main socioeconomic impact of the Project during construction will be related to
increased traffic within the industrial zone and in nearby communities from the movement of
workers and equipment. Most of the large equipment will be shipped to the site. As much as
possible, trucks hauling construction materials and equipment will be scheduled to pass through
built-up areas during off peak hours. The truck drivers and equipment operators will all undergo
1 day training and orientation on proper road courtesies and strict observance of traffic rules
and regulations such as the speed limits. While traffic from movement of personnel to and from
the construction site might be a negative impact, the community will experience higher
employment from the Project. People employed in the Project will have increased disposable
incomes.
50. The construction of the transmission lines will involve relocating approximately 25
houses. The houses will be transferred beyond the right of way and within the existing lots. The
area traversed by the transmission lines is primarily agricultural and even the designated
residential areas have large lot size. Another 42 structures (e.g., barns, storage areas, and
sheds) will have to be relocated. EGAT, which is responsible for land acquisition and
construction of this component, has set aside B1.69 billion for land compensation and relocation
of structures and houses, which is higher than the actual construction cost of the transmission
line of B1.52 billion.
2. Operation
51. The Project is to be developed in a designated industrial zone that has been established
by the Thai Government as part of its of long-term strategic planning for the nation. The Project
fits within this strategy and the systematic arrangements for socioeconomic growth in the area.
The Project will provide direct and indirect employment opportunities and power to support
continuing industrial, commercial, and domestic development.
15
52. The trucks hauling the ash will have to traverse the highway and secondary road. Truck
operation will be limited to day time and off-peak hours to reduce the impact on the traffic. The
trucks will be covered and the mositure in the ash properly controlled to reduce dust pollution
along the hauling route.
53. The Project’s quantifiable costs are (i) capital costs, (ii) operations and maintanace
costs, (iii) fuel costs and other utilities, (iv) labor, and (v) administrative costs. About US$ 101
million of total project costs can be attributed to safeguard environmental standards and thereby
mitigate adverse effects of the project. The main quantifiable project benefit is the value of
steam-generated electricity. Stable power supply is crucial for the continued development of
Thailand. BLCP will be in the Map Tap Phut Industrial Estate, one of Thailand’s largest industrial
estates. The main client base of the power generated will be the eastern seaboard of Thailand
and excess power will be transmitted to the national grid for use in other areas of the country.
The availability of energy will stimulate balanced growth in Thailand and offer employment
opportunities. The cost for those generating their own electricity is approx. B2.25/kWh, which is
effectively 18% higher than average tariffs of larger power plants.
54. Estimated total project costs will be US$ 1.341 billion of that, over US$ 150 million is
expected to be invested into Thailand through foreign direct investment from a private sponsor,
increasing the unquantified benefits to the country by stabilizing the investment climate. The
Project will also be expecting to pay over B 3 billion corporate income tax throughout the life of
the Project, and approx. US$ 33 million in value-added tax during the construction period.
55. Residual environmental impacts will be systematically monitored and reported during
construction and operation of the plant in accordance with arrangements agreed during review
of the EIAs. The Project is designed to comply with the Thai air emission, water effluent,
receiving water, and noise standards. Considering the existing and planned industries in Map
Ta Phut, and sufficient factor of safety, such as using coal with lower sulfur content and
including a desulfurizer, the Project is expected to meet the ambient air quality standard. The
expected performance of the Project is summarized in the table (page 3). Appendix 2
summarizes the mitigating measures, the monitoring requirements (e.g., parameters monitored),
frequency of monitoring, and the parties responsible for compliance and implementation.
56. BLCP will pay close attention at all stages of the Project, to monitor and control
environmental performance and to consult regularly with the responsible authorities and the
community. BLCP is an active member of the local environmental monitoring committee
arrangements that are controlled and managed by IEAT. The plant operations organization will
include a specialist responsible for environmental management and monitoring, and training
programs will include appropriate environmental management activities for all operational staff.
57. The arrangements for environmental management and monitoring of the BLCP power
plant are shown in Figure 6. The duties of the EIA monitoring committee and the tripartite
committee are listed in Appendixes 3 and 4. The Thai Government required independent third
party membership on the monitoring and tripartite committee. In compliance with ADB’s
requirements, BLCP has informed IEAT of its willingness to expand the monitoring committee’s
terms of reference to include the whole Project, which is also in line with the terms of reference
of the tripartite committee.
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Figure 6: BLCP Power Links With Environmental Authorities
And Formal Links With Community
Independent Specialist
Support
Monitoring and Audit
IEAT = Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, OEPP = Office of Environmental Policy and Planning.
58. In any large-scale infrastructure project, the impact on the local communities is
significant in terms of employment, environmental issues, area infrastructure demands, and
activity levels. BLCP recognized the Project’s potential impact and has made efforts to initiate
discussions and establish good relations with the local communities and government officials
since 1996, when development of the Project began. The views and concerns of the community
have been noted and acted on throughout preparation of the EIA.
59. The formal consultation process has taken place in two stages. During 1996, the
fieldwork necessary to formalize and record public opinion about the impact of the Project was
undertaken by experts from Chulalongkorn University Environmental Research Institute. The
results of that work are recorded in the Project’s EIA. The second stage was carried out in
2001/02 in response to a condition attached to OEPP approval of the main EIA, which was to
conduct a public hearing process.
60. BLCP consulted with the Government and the regulatory authorities to establish the most
positive and constructive arrangements for the second stage of formal consultations. All parties
agreed that a community consultation process would be far more beneficial than arranging a
single event within the rigid confines of a formal public hearing. The outcome was development of
a community participation project, the detailed arrangements and procedures for which were
approved by OEPP. The process and results are recorded in a final report that forms part of the
project documentation and is available from BLCP for any interested party. The process was
arranged in three parts: (i) provision of updated information to the communities and to arrange
and hold meetings to clarify details of the project, answer questions, and note views and
concerns; (ii) visits by community groups and officials to a local power plant that includes coal-
fired boilers and associated facilities; and (iii) an attitude survey conducted by the Faculty of Mass
Communication of Chulalongkorn University. Notice of the arrangements for each stage was
provided via normal community channels. The attitude survey concluded that most people support
construction of the power plant, but many are concerned about long-term management of its
potential environmental impact. BLCP has confirmed that it will closely manage operation of the
power plant and will continue to give close attention to the concerns of the community. The report
on the Community Participation Project has been reviewed by OEPP and in a letter dated 28
November 2002 it acknowledged completion of the community consultation process.
61. BLCP confirms that all of the documents, illustrations, brochures, and any other material
used during the community consultation processes have been presented in Thai and all
presentations, discussions, consultative meetings, and informal discussions have taken place in
the Thai language. Strenuous efforts have been made to present the facts in a form that can be
understood by nontechnical people.
IX. CONCLUSIONS
62. The Project is within a heavy industrial zone, on reclaimed land 3 km from the shoreline.
The land was reclaimed using dredged materials or spoils from the development and
maintenance of the port facilities. The Project will use the utilities provided for in the industrial
zone and will build its own facilities for treating the domestic and industrial wastes. The Project
is designed to comply with the environmental standards in Thailand, speciafically those related
to air emissions, ambient air quality, wastewater effluent, receiving water quality, and noise.
18
63. The Project will meet the power demand of the industries in the eastern seaboard of
Thailand. As part of the national grid, the Project will also supplement the power requirement in
other parts of Thailand. The project location will have little interference with human settlements.
The Project is in line with the Thai government strategy of diversifying the power source,
optimizing the location of power supply with respect to demand, and using modern technologies.
64. The Project’s environmental impacts could be mitigated using established environmental
management techniques. An independent committee organized by the Thai government will
monitor the environmental impacts and the efficiency of the mitigating measures. The local
communities are represented in the monitoring committee.
Appendix 1 19
MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Project
Item Dimension Thai Standard
Commitment
Emissionsa
NOx ppm 241 350
SO2 ppm 262b 320
CO ppm 94 870
Particulates mg/m³ 43 120
Wastewater Discharge °C 40 40
Temperature
pH n.a. 5 to 9 5 to 9
BOD5 mg/l 20 max 20
COD mg/l 120 max 120 max
SS mg/l 150 max 150 max
DS mg/l 2000 max 2000 max
Sulfide as H2S mg/l 1 max 1 max
Cyanide as HCN mg/l 0.2 max 0.2 max
Oil and Grease mg/l 5 max 5 max
Formaldehyde mg/l 1 max 1 max
Phenol and Cresol mg/l 1 max 1 max
Free Chlorine mg/l 1 max 1 max
Appendix 2
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures Monitoring Program Responder
1. Physical Resources
a. Air Quality
i. Construction Phase
Dust emitted from construction Follow the Code of Practice on Dust Suppression Assure the contractor follows the Code of Contractor and BLCP
activities such as site excavation and for Construction and Transportation issued by the Practice on Dust Suppression for Construction Power Limited
structure construction. Pollution and transportation issued by the Pollution (BLCP)
Control Department in 1996, such as, Control Department.
• covering loose materials in the buildings on
the site with canvass during construction. Monthly monitor for total suspended
• spraying water on the entrance of the particulates (TSP) and particulate matter of 10
construction site and material piles in order to micros (PM-10) at Wat Ta Kuan 1 day/month
protect dust dispersion, during construction period.
Washing wheels of trucks before they exit the Cost is about B80,000/year.
construction site, and
Install equipment to reduce air pollution such as Implement manual stack testing to cross check BLCP
electro static precipitates (ESP) to collect dust with the continuous emission monitoring
and the sea water flow gas desulfurizers (FGD) system (CEMS) twice a year. Cost is about
to reduce SO2 from the power plant. Install low B50,000/year.
NOx burner + separate over fire air (SOFA) to
reduce NOx. BLCP
Cost of the installation including the equipment
Construct the 200m stack for better air pollutant of CEMS, which automatically and continuously
dispersion. monitors emission released from stack, is
es,
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures Monitoring Program Responder
Control air emission will meet the standard on an Monitor ambient air quality at 4 stations in close BLCP
emission flow rate of 1,020 grams per second, proximity to the power plant at Wat Ta Kuan,
which consists of SO2, oxides of nitrogen (NOx) Map Ta Phut School, Map Ta Phut New Town,
and TSP are 262 parts per million (ppm), 241 and Thailand Petroleum Authority (PTT)
ppm, and 43 milligram per cubic meter (mg/m³) housing. Parameters monitored at these
respectively. These concentrations are lower stations are SO2, NOx, and TSP (PM-10). At
than the standards, which are 320 ppm of SO2, the meteorological station, wind speed and
350 ppm of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 120 mg/ direction must be monitored. The cost for the
m³ of TSP. four stations is B16 million plus B4 million per
year for operation.
Prepare some vacant space in the power plant Mitigation measures for ash transportation will Contractor and BLCP
for installing air equipment to reduce NOx if be provided for the land transportation aspect.
necessary.
b. Noise
i. Construction Phase
Noise from construction activities Provide noise protection equipment, such as Assure the contractor provides enough noise Contractor and BLCP
such as pile construction, materials earmuffs, for workers in high noise level areas. protection equipment for the workers.
Appendix 2
transportation, and foundation
construction.
The impact from noise on workers Periodically rotate the workers in high noise level 3 day continuous noise monitoring at 1 station BLCP
will occur only in the high noise level areas to minimize the noise impact. in the construction site, every 3 months. Total
areas, such as the pile construction cost of the monitoring is about B15,000/time,
area. Install warning signs at high noise level areas. each time.
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22
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures Monitoring Program Responder
Appendix 2
ii. Operation Phase
Noise from generator and machine Maintain machine in good condition. Monitor the noise level for 7 continuous days at BLCP
during coal transportation process. the two stations at the power plant and Wat Ta
Provide noise protection equipment such as Kuan, 4 times and 2 times a year, respectively.
earmuffs for workers in high noise level areas. Total cost is about B300,000 per year.
Wastewater collected from the area Wastewater from the coal unloading and coal pile BLCP
of the coal management at the area will be collected and discharged to the
conveyer and the coal stock. nearby sedimentation pond before being wholly
reused in the sprinkler system.
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures Monitoring Program Responder
Wastewater from the ash landfill site. Install one layer lining at the bottom of the landfill Set the 4 monitoring stations, the first is at
pit to prevent leaching. The sump will collect all upstream sump and 3 are at the downstream
leachate and runoff, which will be reused to sump. Monitor 4 times/year. The parameters
minimize dust dispersion. are pH, hardness, and heavy metal such as
mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and
chromium (Cr). Monitoring cost is about
B100,000/year.
Appendix 2
23
24
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures Monitoring Program Responder
Appendix 2
activities are measures to ensure water quality, e.g., effluent with the same measures as the surface
• general waste (solid and liquid • providing a wastewater treatment system to water quality.
waste) from the office, receive wastewater from the process, office
• wastewater at the coal yard, and activities and toilet;
• wastewater released from the • installing a sedimentation pond near the coal Automatic sensor with two probes will be BLCP
power plant (e.g., wastewater at yard to treat runoff and sprinkled water leach installed at the outfall for the treated FGD
cooling system out from the coal pile; (the treated water will effluent and the cooling water effluent. Monitor
be reused for spraying on the coalpile); and the parameters, temperature, and pH
• treating effluent form the FGD at the aeration automatically and send the date signal to the
pond. control room. This online system will be useful
for improvement water quality as soon as
possible.
Ash from coal combustion 960 Provide the 606-hectare landfill site at Tub Ma, Monitor water quality of the surveillance sumps BLCP
tones/day or 350,000 tones/year Amphoe Muan, which is about 16.9 kilometers with the same measures as the surface water
(km) from the power plant and can accommodate quality.
about 10 years of ash disposal. The power plant
will prepare an additional area and will report in
detail to the Office of Environmental Policy and
Planning (OEPP) during the 8 th year of the old
landfill operation.
2. Ecological Resources
a. Forest and Wildlife
i. Construction Phase None None
None
reclamation land and the material will quality), such as spraying water on the Practice on Dust Suppression for Construction
be transported by land transportation. construction site and stockpile. and Transportation issued by the Pollution
Small amounts of fugitive dust could Control Department (same mitigation measure
be dispersed into the sea. as for the air quality).
There is contaminated water from the Provide a sedimentation pond to collect Assure the contractor provides the drainage Contractor and BLCP
construction activities. wastewater from the construction site and protect channel and the sedimentation pond in the
the polluted water leach out of the restricted area. construction site.
The temperature, which will not be over 40°C, The 13 stations for seawater quality monitoring
There is high temperature seawater must also not exceed the 3°C existing will be distributed within 500m around the
releasing from cooling system. temperature of seawater in the area within 500m effluent point. They will monitor at two depths,
from the effluent point. the seawater surface and at mid-depth. The
monitoring must be reported 4 times/year
during construction. The total monitoring cost is
about B12,000 each time.
Dispersion of dust and ash in the Dispersion of dust and suspended solids from the Monitor seawater quality in the gulf of Map Ta
seawater. coal will be prevented by compacting the coal pile Put with the parameters: Salinity; DO; pH;
and spraying water over it. transparency; SS; total dissolved solids (TDS);
Direct impact on aquatic life due to oil and grease; nitrate; phosphate; trace
the pumping seawater sent to the Provide a 17,000 m ³ sedimentation pond near the elements; heavy metals - Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr;
cooling system and the hot water coal yard to collect runoff run through the coal and quantity and types of plankton. The 3
released from the system. yard and then reused for spraying. sampling stations are at the intake, outflow and
ship channel. The monitoring must be reported
Appendix 2
Reduce the losses of aquatic life coming with the 4 times/year during operation. With monitoring
intake seawater by designing to enlarge the at two depth, the seawater surface and at mid-
intake that decreases the velocity to 0.3 depth. Total cost of the monitoring is about
m/second. Install screens that will help the B30,000 per monitoring exercise or B120,000
organisms to escape from the intake system. per year.
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26
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures Monitoring Program Responder
a. Navigation
i. Construction Phase
Appendix 2
None
b. Land Transportation
i. Construction Phase
Increased traffic volume due to the Large equipment may be transported by vessels Contractor and BLCP
transportation of workers and and must not obstruct the existing channel.
construction equipment.
None
Construction materials will be trucked to the site
during off-peak working hours.
Truck speed.
A low impact may occur because of Transport ash during daytime and avoid None Contractor and BLCP
office cars and ash loading trucks, congested traffic period.
which are 50 rounds per day.
Control the ash transportation to the landfill site
by adding moisture into the ash and cover the
trucks.
tons/round.
f. Land Use
i. Construction Phase
Appendix 2
The Project has been permitted to
construct in the Map Ta Phut
None None
Industrial Estate.
27
28
Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures Monitoring Program Responder
Appendix 2
Estate.
b. Public Health
i. Construction Phase
The impact will directly affect the Use proper materials and equipment in the Contractor and BLCP
workers. construction activity to decrease the risk of
causing accidents. None
Contractor and BLCP
Equipment and working hazard. Provide safety protection equipment such as
helmets, shoes, glasses, gloves, and ear muffs.
Impact of dust, SO2, noise, heat, Enforce the wearing of protective equipment as a Provide emergency responses and cooperate
chemicals on workers, and accidents. standard practice. with other agencies.
Usual accident risks during operation Install warning signs in the risk areas. Investigate the environment of the working area
of the power plant. to focus on dust, SO2, NOx, noise, and heat.
Arrange the working time periodically to reduce
the exposure time.
c. Visual Aspect
i. Construction Phase None None
The Project will be constructed in an
industrial area.
ii. Operation Phase
Impact of the height of structures The power station should be designed in keeping BLCP
such as the stack, building, and coal with neighboring industries. Landscape measure
pile. such as screen planting for coal piles to reduce
the impact. None
Appendix 2
29
30 Appendix 3
Person Position
(i.) regulate implementation of the monitoring and mitigation program for the coal
unloading facility of BLCP Power Limited on land reclamation Map Ta Phut Phase II,
Muang District, Rayong, in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment
reports and the conclusions of the expert committees;
(ii.) consult, advise, and coordinate to solve any environmental problems arising during
the construction period including, if any, claims from communities due to impact of
the project works and other related activities;
(iii.) consider and comment on project activities that might cause environmental impacts,
coordinate with relevant parties, and invite officers giving information, advice, or
suggestions to attend committee meetings as appropriate; and
(iv.) meet once a month during the construction period and every 3 months during the
operation period, with effect from the commencement of dredging works.
(i.) consider and study details of the Project, any potential pollution problems, and
the environmental impact on Map Ta Phut communities;
(ii.) monitor progress of the Project to enable Map Ta Phut community to correctly
understanding and follow the project works during construction and operation;
(iii.) organize on behalf of Map Ta Phut communities exchange of their opinions, and
knowledge of the BLCP power plant project; and
(iv.) appoint additional members to the committee representing responsible
authorities and communities in the Map Ta Phut area, as appropriate.
2. The Committee was effective from 27 September 2002, as authorized by Mr. Suriya
Jeungrungruengkit, Minister of Industry.