Hin Kong Power Plant
| Hin Kong Power Plant | |
|---|---|
| Country | Thailand |
| Location | Hin Kong Subdistrict, Mueang Ratchaburi District, Ratchaburi Province |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 2020 |
| Commission date | 2024 (Unit 1), 2025 (Unit 2) |
| Owners | Hin Kong Power Holding Co., Ltd. (RATCH 51% – Gulf 49%) |
| Operators | Hin Kong Power Co., Ltd. |
| Thermal power station | |
| Primary fuel | Natural gas |
| Turbine technology | Combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 1,400 MW |
| External links | |
| Website | RATCH Group |
The Hin Kong Power Plant (โรงไฟฟ้าหินกอง) is a 1,400-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine power station in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. It is operated by Hin Kong Power Co., Ltd., a joint venture between RATCH Group Public Company Limited and Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited. The plant supplies electricity to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) under a 25-year Power purchase agreement signed in 2019.[1][2]
Location and background
The power plant is located in Hin Kong Subdistrict, Mueang Ratchaburi district, approximately 100 kilometres west of Bangkok. It was developed on the same site as the decommissioned Tri Energy Power Plant, which was retired after more than two decades of operation.[3]
Hin Kong Power Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 2019 under Hin Kong Power Holding Co., Ltd. (HKH). HKH is 51 percent owned by RATCH Group and 49 percent by Gulf Energy Development.[4]
Design and technology
The facility uses two 700-megawatt M701JAC gas turbines supplied by Mitsubishi Power, arranged in a combined-cycle configuration. The turbines are air-cooled and use advanced combustion technology to achieve higher efficiency and lower emissions.[5]
The plant's total installed capacity is 1,400 megawatts. Electricity generated at Hin Kong is transmitted to the national grid via EGAT's 230-kV substation network.
Fuel supply
The plant operates on natural gas supplied through the national gas pipeline network operated by PTT Public Company Limited. Under Thailand's gas-market liberalization policy, Hin Kong Power Holding obtained a private LNG import license from the Energy Regulatory Commission, enabling direct procurement of liquefied natural gas for the project.[6]
Development and construction
The project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was approved by Thailand's Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) in 2020. Construction was carried out by a consortium of Mitsubishi Power Co., Ltd., MHI Power Project (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited.[7]
The first 700 MW unit entered commercial operation in March 2024, followed by the second in January 2025. The plant contributes to Thailand's Power Development Plan 2018 objectives for energy reliability and cleaner gas-based generation.[8]
Ownership and financing
Hin Kong Power Holding Co., Ltd. is responsible for investment and project management. Financing was arranged through Thai commercial banks and international lenders. Initial discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) were held during the early development phase.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Ratch, Gulf and HKH mark milestone in importation of LNG for Hin Kong plant". Bangkok Post. March 5, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Power completes 1.4 GW gas-fired GTCC plant in Thailand". Power Technology. January 22, 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "Hin Kong Combined Cycle Power Project profile". NS Energy. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "RATCH sells 49% stake in HKH to Gulf". Bangkok Post. January 4, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific – Completion announcement for Hin Kong GTCC". Mitsubishi Power. January 21, 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "RATCH and Gulf pioneer Thailand's first private LNG import for Hin Kong plant". RATCH Group Press Release. February 15, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "RATCH Group reveals construction of Hin Kong power plant approaching after EPC and LTSA contracts accomplished". RATCH Group. September 30, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ Thailand Power Development Plan 2018 Revision 1 (PDF) (Report). Ministry of Energy Thailand. 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "We stand against JICA and ADB financing of Hin Kong Gas Power Project in Muang Ratchaburi, Thailand – Joint Statement of 48 Organizations". Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES). April 27, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2025.