The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) – a key player in the electrification realm – has announced an ambitious project that threatens to transform the face of the city. The endeavour pertains to burying a whopping 1,454 kilometres of electrical cables, a feat it plans to accomplish in just a decade. This profound initiative, according to MEA governor, Wilas Chaloeysat, is a show of the authority’s unwavering commitment to meeting the power needs of over 14 million residents spread across Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan.
Opting for the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ scenario, the MEA plans to improve the efficiency and convenience of its services through the implementation of smart technology. This high-tech approach introduces smarter metro grids and smarter meters that will revolutionise the electricity management system.
The MEA has already made note of main thoroughfares throughout the capital and nearby regions, pinpointing over 1,000 km of cabling that requires underground placement. Adopting a swift approach to this mammoth task, the endeavour is set for completion within a decade. High priority areas will be places along the Skytrain and metro train lines.
As of right now, approximately 91km of electric wires already reside underground, gracing major business hubbubs and roads, such as the Sathon district. The MEA has set its sights beyond this, outlining plans to extend the project to cover an additional 236.1km by 2027. Ultimately, an impressive total of 1,454km of cables are destined to join their subterranean colleagues.
In addition to this gigantic undertaking, the MEA announced plans to increase the number of smart meters within its service ambit. The goal is to expand from their current stock of 33,265 to an impressive 441,400 sets by 2027. The boost in smart meter distribution will aid MEA employees in promptly identifying system glitches and addressing said issues before customers even have time to file complaints.
MEA’s initiatives underline its dedication to improving the lives of city-dwelling folk. “We’re making substantial changes in adherence to our ‘Go Smart, Go Digital, Go Green’ mantra, setting our sights on a sustainable future,” said the governor.
A separate strategy announced by the MEA involves supporting the government’s push for electric vehicle (EV) adoption as part of a broader EV ecosystem. With a projected 6.6 million EVs on Thailand’s roads by 2037, the authority has established EV charging stations, smart charging systems for private residences, and load monitoring tools to avoid overtaxing the electric grid.
In response to this expected shift towards electrification, the demand for electricity is projected to grow by 13% annually due to increased adoption of EVs. For 2022, MEA predicts electrical consumption will reach 51,388 million units – a modest 0.84% increase compared to the previous year.
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