Corporate Social Responsibility EGAT has carried out both CSR in process and CSR after process taking into account the participation of the public and sustainable development of the quality of life and the environment, in order to encourage the public acceptance. Activities Concerning the Communities around the Power Plants Participatory process has been used to enhance the participation of all sectors as follows: Encouragement of understanding in power development This activity aims to create an understanding of the public to be aware of the increasing power demand owing to the growth and expansion of the society, which results to the necessity of the new power development projects. The power projects to increase the generating capacity of the existing power plants include the North Bangkok Power Plant Block 2, the Unit 4-7 Replacement Project of Mae Moh Power Plant, the Wang Noi Power Plant Block 4, the Chana Power Plant Block 2, five micro-hydropower plants, downstream hydropower plants, and Bang Lang Hydropower Plant Unit 1-3. The new power plant development projects include coal power development projects in Chumporn, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Krabi, and Songkhla Provinces, renewable power development projects in Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Thap Sakae District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, and nuclear power project area. Development of the communities’ quality of life EGAT has participated with all sectors to support and improve the quality of life of the communities in the vicinity of the power plants and areas for new power development projects. For sustainable development, a variety of community development projects and activities have been carried out. EGAT also promotes and disseminates knowledge to local people on the application of effective microorganism in sustainable farming and living. Environmental conservation promotion EGAT promotes and participates with all sectors in raising awareness and recognition of environmental conservation through the campaigns based on the Royal Initiative Projects in Conservation of Natural Resources and Environment. 116 A Leader of Clean Energy Technology EGAT’s project on reforestation to increase water sources of Sirikit Dam to commemorate the 78th Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen The forest conservation project was implemented under the initiations of the Organizing Committee to commemorate the 60th Coronation Anniversary and the Ministry of Energy’s project to commemorate the 78th Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen (August 12) with the concept of “Tree planting and check dam building to honor the Queen”. The project aimed for reforestation in an area of 780 rai on the right riverbank of the Nan River National Park in Tha Pla District of Uttaradit Province and an increase of water sources by building 780 check dams around the reservoir of Sirikit Dam with participation of all concerned sectors. 117 Project on restoration and preservation of seagrass in Krabi Province The project aimed to create the awareness in restoration and conservation of seagrass with participation of communities in Sri Boya Sub-district, Nuea Khlong District, Krabi Province by growing and planting seagrass around Sri Boya Island and Pu Island. A learning center was established at Pu Island. A campaign on seagrass planting was organized with the participation of the community. Promotion of the conservation of forests and the environment The project aimed to create the awareness in forest and environment conservation with participation of communities and government sectors by means of forestation. Examples of such activities are as follows: - Tree planting in Ubol Ratchthani Province - Mangrove planting in the Mu Koh Chumphon National Park, Mueang District in Chumphon Province - Mangrove planting on both sides of the Natub Canal 118 A Leader of Clean Energy Technology - Mangrove planting on the islet in the Bang Pakong River - Trees planting to increase green area in Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province with participation of the community in the area Promotion of community environment protection The activities of using effective microorganisms (EM) as the means to protect the environment were conducted with participation of communities which included lecture on the use of EM for environmental protection in power development area in different provinces such as Ubon Ratchathani, Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Moreover, under the Project “Beautiful Canal, Clear Water”, EGAT conducted training and established 5 microorganism banks in community areas. Activities Concerning the Environmental Conservation EGAT has given importance to environmental management by conducting activities within the framework of corporate social responsibility and environmental policy comprising the project on greenhouse gas reduction and development of clean and renewable energy. In 2013, major activities in environmental conservation are as follows: 119 Environmental impact assessment of power development projects Concerning the environmental impact assessment for the new power development projects in 2013, assessment reports of the following 5 projects were approved by the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning. - Bang Pakong Combined Cycle Project Block 5, Chachoengsao Province - Lam Ta Khong Wind Power Project Phase 2, Nakhon Ratchasima Province - Khlong Tron Hydropower Project, Uttaradit Province - Grid network of 500 kV between Thai border (Nan Province) - Nan 2 - Mae Moh 3 (additional part through the conservation area) - Solar Power Project of 5 MW, Thap Sakae District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province The preparation of report of the environmental impact assessment of the following 3 more projects are in process: - Project of capacity expansion of Krabi Power Plant, Krabi Province - Project of Replacement of Mae Moh Power Plant, Units 4-7, Lampang Province - Mae Moh Mine, Lampang Province Monitoring the environmental quality EGAT recognizes the importance of environmental quality monitoring in preventing and controlling the environmental impact from the operation. The activities include the control of air pollution from SO2, NOx, CO2, etc. as well as management and control of quality of water, noise, waste, and used materials in accordance with the standard specified in the law and improvement of the quality of the environment as a whole. Moreover, EGAT supports the establishment of a network of the communities around the power plants to monitor the environmental quality. Environmental network The environment community networks in the area of 5 kilometers from power plants have been established, namely, - Wang Noi Combined Cycle Power Plant, Ayutthaya Province - Chana Combined Cycle Power Plant, Songkhla Province - North Bangkok Combined Cycle Power Plant, Nonthaburi Province - Lam Ta Khong Jolabha Vadhana Power Plant, Nakhon Ratchasima Province The purpose of the network is to provide the communities knowledge and practice in the fundamental inspection of water quality. With this, EGAT intends to create more understanding from the communities and a closer linkage between the local ecological system and the power plants. 120 A Leader of Clean Energy Technology Stakeholders’ participation and public hearing EGAT recognizes the importance of stakeholders’ participation and public hearing. In 2013, several public hearings were organized for the communities located around the new power development projects as follows: - Bang Pakong Combined Cycle Project Block 5, Chachoengsao Province - Solar Power Project of 5 MW, Thap Sakae District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province - Kiew Koh Ma Hydropower Project, Lampang Province - Grid network of 230 kV between Ayutthaya 4 - Sikhio 2 (additional part through the conservation area) - Clean Coal Technology Project, Nakhon Si Thammarat Project on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) EGAT has implemented the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to minimize the greenhouse gas emission. The following 6 projects are in process: 121 - The project of energy efficiency improvement of Mae Moh Power Plant, unit 10-11, through retrofitting low pressure turbines. This is the presently largest CDM project in Thailand. - Mae Ngat Somboon Chol Hydropower Project, Chiang Mai Province - Kaeng Krachan Hydropower Project, Phetchaburi Province - Mae Khlong Hydropower Project, Kanchanaburi Province - Pa Sak Jolasid Hydropower Project, Lop Buri Province - Chao Phraya Hydropower Project, Chai Nat Province - Sirindhorn Solar Power Project, Ubon Ratchathani Province Among these projects, EGAT Irrigation Valve Based Micro Hydro Project at Mae Ngat Somboon Chol Dam and Kaeng Krachan Dam complies with the Crown Standard from Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) The above-mentioned 6 projects have been registered at the CDM-EB for UNFCCC. They are contributing, not only to the efficiency in power generation and fuel cost reduction, but also to the image of EGAT as an organization which takes account of society, community, and environment. Environmental management in accordance with ISO 14001 EGAT has implemented the environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001 within its operation units to build confidence to the society and community in its environmental management system. In 2013, 27 units of EGAT including power plants, dams, and mine were certified with ISO 14001 by the certification body. Moreover, EGAT substations also implemented ISO 14001