Environmental Management

Khanom Power Plant uses natural gas as the main source of fuel for power generation. Low-sulfur diesel oil, meanwhile, is used as the secondary source of fuel. However, since the day commercial operations began in 2006, the company has never used diesel oil in electricity generation other than for a short test period. Khanom Power Plant uses highly efficient technology to manage air quality. It regularly monitors the level of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere and continuously sends such reports to the Department of Industrial Works and to the information board in front of the power plant.

Monitoring of Air Quality in the Atmosphere

Khanom Power Plant continuously monitors air quality in the atmosphere during two periods, March and September, at five stations namely:

1. On-land Building Station at the power plant
2. Employee Residence Station (next to the power plant)
3. Ban Tha Muang School Station
4. District Administration Office Station
5. Chedi Luang Temple Station

Monitored pollutants include NO2, SO2, PM10 dust and total suspended particles (TSP). Monitoring results showed that the level of all pollutants is within the standard level. Taking account of the excessive levels of PM2.5 in many parts of the country that impact the respiratory system and quality of life of the people, Khanom Power Plant has launched regular monitoring of PM2.5 every year. Results also show that the level of PM2.5 is within the standard.

Different types of waste water from the production process are treated separately to ensure proper waste water management. Treated water is partially reused and recycled, such as for watering the gardens. The remaining treated water is released into the environment.

Waste Water Treatment System at Khanom Power Plant

The last treatment facility receives waste water from all parts of the power plant and can store waste water for longer than one day. Water quality is measured again before being released into public water sources. Khanom Power Plant collects water samples for monthly analysis, and measures and reports COD level through the online system to the Department of Industrial Works before releasing the water into the public water sources outside the power plant.

Khanom Power Plant focuses on the 3Rs waste management concept. Waste that can be reused or recycled will be brought back to the production process or used for other purposes. The company has tried to minimize landfill by adopting other waste management methods, such as mixing the waste with raw materials to produce other products, and burning waste in a furnace to generate energy that can be used in other production processes. These methods effectively prevent impacts on the environment from the production process waste, such as contamination in soil, surface water, underground water and food chain.

Noise in the production process mainly comes from the generator, water pump and maintenance activities. The power plant has already installed comprehensive noise prevention equipment to cover the main equipment and machines in the power plant, and a silencer in equipment that may generate noise. To protect employees from noise, they are required to wear noise prevention equipment. The power plant regularly measures noise level and compares it against the standard to ensure that its employees and the community are not affected.