WHAUP develops natural gas distribution projects in Hemaraj Industrial Estates. First project to start operation in Q3 2018

Bangkok – WHA Utilities and Power PLC., or WHAUP, recently obtained right to develop natural gas distribution and retail projects in six Hemaraj industrial estates, starting with the WHA Eastern Seaboard NGD 2 project, scheduled to operate by Q3/2018. Mr. Wisate Chungwatana, WHAUP’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasizes on the company’s investment strategy in order to become a fully integrated energy service provider for clients in industrial estates and to grow in line with the expansion of the parent company’s industrial estate development business.

Mr. Wisate Chungwatana disclosed that WHAUP, in cooperation with Gulf Energy Development Co., Ltd., has established Gulf WHA MT Natural Gas Distribution Co., Ltd., with a shareholding ratios of 51% and 49% respectively.  This new venture will first invest in the construction of pipeline network which distributes natural gas to industrial users in Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2 (HESIE 2), and subsequently to Hemaraj  Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4 (HESIE 4), and eventually 4 other Hemaraj industrial estates in Rayong, Chonburi and Saraburi in the future.

The company’s natural gas distribution project, WHA Eastern Seaboard NGD 2, located at Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2, has now started construction, and recently signed the wholesale gas supply agreement with PTT Pcl. last October 5, 2017. This project, expected to reach completion by Q3 2018, will provide retail natural gas to industrial customers in Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2. 

In addition, the second natural gas distribution & and retail project by Gulf WHA MT Natural Gas Distribution Co., Ltd., developed to serve industrial customers in Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 4 (HESIE 4), is expected to start construction at the end of this year.

Mr. Wisate emphasized that investments in the natural gas distribution & retail project are in line with WHAUP’s strategy to become a fully integrated energy service provider for clients in industrial estates and to grow hand-in-hand with the expanding industrial estate business of the WHA Group.