Largest wind farm in SE Asia gets go-ahead

THAILAND: Thai developer Wind Energy Holding is to build a 207MW wind farm in Thailand after global consultancy Mott MacDonald paved the way for the $222 million project's go-ahead.

Ninety 2.3MW 101-metre diameter wind turbines will be used in the project, which is located in Korat Province, 150 kilometres from Bangkok.

Mott MacDonald examined the technical and commercial viability of the wind farm on behalf of lenders Kasikorn Bank and Siam Commercial Bank.

Mott MacDonald's project director Duncan Barker said his firm has already worked with both banks on other power-related projects. "With our global wind-power experience we reviewed and advised on the wind energy yield performance and the effective technical structuring of terms under the project contracts," he added.

Mott MacDonald will continue to work on behalf of Kasikorn and Siam during the construction and operations phases of the project.

The wind farm will sell electricity to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand for 25 years.