The first medium wind/diesel pilot project in Thailand

Since 2005, the people in Koh Tao (Tao Island) has electrified from diesel generation for 24 hours a day. The total installed capacity of diesel generator (DEG) is 6 MW but they cannot supply electricity at rated output because of the life time of each DEG. The average of rated output of DEG can be supplied to load is around 60% of rated output. In 2009, the maximum load at Koh Tao was 3.2 MW and minimum load was 1.4 MW. The energy reserve of DEGs is 400 kW. At this island it has a problem of power quality especially in high season of travelling because the electric energy demand is rapidly growth. Other problem is loss of profit of Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) because PEA provides and supply electricity to load. The electricity tariff at this island is around 3.5 baht/kWh (0.11 $US/kWh) which is same rate with mainland but the capital cost of electricity is around 8 baht/kWh (0.24 $US/kWh). PEA loses money about 6.5 million baht (0.2 M.USD) per month. PEA attempts to reduce loss of profit and improve the power quality by using wind energy which measured the potential more than two years. The 1 × 250 kW wind turbine has installed at mountain range of Chalok Baan Kao.