Rayong Power Plant

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Wikipedia

Rayong Power Plant (Gulf PD Project)
CountryThailand
LocationMap Yang Phon, Pluak Daeng District, Rayong Province
Coordinates12°57′01″N 101°09′22″E / 12.950169°N 101.156081°E / 12.950169; 101.156081
StatusOperational
Construction began2019
Commission date2024 (Unit 1)
OwnersGulf PD Co., Ltd. (Gulf Energy Development 70%, Mitsui & Co. 30%)
OperatorsGulf PD Co., Ltd.
External links
WebsiteGEM Wiki – Rayong Gulf PD Power Station
[edit on Wikidata]

The Rayong Power Plant, officially known as the Gulf PD Power Plant, is a large gas-fired combined-cycle independent power producer (IPP) facility located in Rayong Province, Thailand. The project forms part of a twin-site 5,300 MW development (Rayong + Chonburi) under Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) program, supplying power to the national grid through a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).[1][2]

Owner and operator

The plant is owned by Gulf PD Company Limited, a joint venture between:

  • Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (70%)
  • Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (30%)

Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) is led by Mitsubishi Power Ltd. and local contractor Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (ITD).[3]

Capacity and technology

The Rayong site comprises four combined-cycle gas turbine units, each about 662.5 MW (≈ 2,650 MW total). Together with its sister project in Chonburi (Gulf SRC Power Plant, ≈ 2,650 MW), the combined complex provides ≈ 5,300 MW, one of Southeast Asia's largest CCGT installations.[4]

  • Technology: Mitsubishi M701JAC gas turbines with Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs) and steam turbines.
  • Fuel: Natural gas (primary); distillate fuel (backup).

Commissioning and operations

Commercial operation of the first 662.5 MW unit began in October 2024, followed by sequential commissioning of remaining units through 2025–2026 under a 25-year PPA with EGAT.[1][5]

Finances

The project investment totals approximately US$1.74 billion, financed by a consortium led by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and co-financed by Japanese and Thai commercial banks including Mizuho Bank and MUFG Bank.[6] The plant operates under Thailand's Independent Power Producer (IPP) framework with a 25-year PPA with EGAT.

Environmental and community impact

The plant underwent a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) approved by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) and reviewed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Mitigation measures address air quality, water use, noise, and community health, in compliance with Thai and IFC environmental standards.[7] Community-benefit programs include infrastructure upgrades, scholarships, and vocational training supporting Thailand's EEC industrial workforce.[1]

Green-energy and efficiency features

Using the M701JAC turbine platform, the plant achieves ≈ 63% thermal efficiency, reducing CO₂ emissions per MWh by around 10% compared to older CCGT plants. It contributes to Thailand's Power Development Plan (PDP2018 Rev 1, PDP2024 draft) targets for higher efficiency and lower emissions.[3]

Future expansion

Plans include potential integration of hydrogen-ready gas turbines and battery-energy storage systems (BESS) to enhance grid flexibility by the late 2020s.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "New Gulf power plant starts operating in Rayong Province". Bangkok Post. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Rayong Gulf PD Power Station". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Plants in Rayong and Chonburi are owned by joint venture between Gulf and Mitsui". Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Mitsubishi Power completes 5,300 MW combined-cycle project in Thailand". NS Energy Business. 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  5. ↑ "Power Plant Profile: Gulf Pluak Daeng Power Project, Thailand". Power-Technology. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Project Financing for Gulf PD Gas-Fired Combined Cycle Power Plant in Thailand". JBIC. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  7. ↑ Environmental and Social Impact Assessment: Gulf PD Power Plant Project, Rayong Province (PDF) (Report). Asian Development Bank. 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Thailand's Power Development Plan (PDP 2024 draft)". Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO). Retrieved 23 October 2025.