Krabi Islands getting wired
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited on behalf of
Thailand's Provincial Electericity Authority (PEA) will be laying
33kV submarine cable to Koh Siboya, Koh Pu, Koh Phi Phi, Railey
Bay, and Koh Lanta. The cable will be delivered in October 2008
and will be installed by ITD's Marine Department.
For this project, World Leader in Cable Manufacture, Nexans shall
supply over 33.3 km, in two lengths, of XLPE insulated, lead sheathed,
copper conductor 3-core 33 kV submarine cable, with an integrated
fibre optic element. A single 3.8 km length of cable, with a cross-section
of 120 mm2, will be used for the Raile Bay crossing.
The remainder of the cable, with a cross-section of 185 mm2, will
be used to create three power links between the islands of Koh
Pu, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Siboya - total approximate length
of 27 km, as well as the 2.5 km Koh Lanta island interconnection.
This will put an end to the power limitations on the Islands and
with the increase in tourism and the residential property market
the PEA anticipates additional power capacity will continue to
grow by 10 to 15 per cent per annum.
Earlier plans to lay underground cables have been scrapped due
to worries of damage to coral reefs on the route however in the
new contract, suppliers have been required specifically to avoid
any contact with reefs.
The plans will for the first time bring reliable stable power
to Railey Bay, Koh Jum and Koh Siboya where at present generators
can provide only a limited service. For Koh Jum and Koh Siboya,
the integrated fibre optic cables will bring phone lines and fast
internet connections for the first time really opening up the
potential for tourism but particularly for high end villa construction.
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