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RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG
``The benefits [from upgraded irrigation systems] would be seen in both agriculture and energy as water is the cheapest source of power generation,'' says Mr Theera. |
The Royal Irrigation Department is ready to begin four water development projects worth 17.5 billion baht later this year to restore confidence and generate additional water supplies.
The projects are part of a 222-billion-baht, 12-year plan starting in 2009. The scheme would expand irrigation areas by 4.45 million rai and increase water supply to three billion cubic metres by 2020, according to director-general Threera Wongsamut.
The first project involves a four-billion-baht water pump station behind the Ratchaprapa dam in Surat Thani.
''Without an irrigation system, about three billion cubic feet per year of water from the dam's power generation were released without being used, leading to floods every year,'' Mr Theera said.
The other three projects are aimed at easing water shortages in the eastern provinces. They include a 4.1-billion-baht plan to install 45.7 kilometres of pipeline to divert water from Chanthaburi to serve Rayong, said Mr Theera.
The second project would cost 3.8 billion for an 11-kilometre-long canal around Chanthaburi to release water to the sea to decrease flooding.
The department also plans to invest 5.6 billion baht in water diversion from the Chao Phraya basin to the Bang Phra reservoir in Chon Buri.
This project is designed to increase the reliability of water supplies in the eastern region to benefit industrial and household clients, Mr Theera said.
''We have completed the designs and studies on the environmental impact of these four projects, each of which would take five years to implement,'' he said.
''The government has seriously pushed these projects ahead to increase public confidence. The benefits would be seen in both agriculture and energy as water is the cheapest source of power generation.''
The Finance Ministry would seek loans to finance the projects, he added.
''These infrastructure projects have an internal rate of return (IRR) of at least 10%, so we don't expect difficulty finding funding,'' Mr Theera said.
He said six of the projects needed approval because they were on protected or government land. ''Once we get approval from the land owners, we will proceed with these projects which require a budget of 9.6 billion baht.''
Also, there are 10 projects being designed, while another six programmes are being developed by related agencies, he added.
The department also plans to develop 154 mid-sized water projects worth 47.9 billion baht from 2009-14. Another 948 community-based small projects are set to be implemented from 2009-11 and will cost 15.2 billion baht.
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