“WHAUP” seals a Solar Rooftop construction contract with Auto Alliance (Thailand), while achieving 50 MW total solar rooftop investment target

Bangkok - WHA Utilities & Power Public Company Limited (WHAUP) won an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract in relation to a 5 MW solar rooftop project for Auto Alliance (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.  The project will cover more than 45,000 square meters of roof space, and is due to reach completion and operation start by August this year, following which WHAUP will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the system for 10 years.  This project is expected to trigger further interests in WHAUP’s solar rooftop EPC service by other industrial users who target to use clean energy and reduce cost.  CEO Dr. Niphon Bundechanan reinforces that the solar rooftop business has grown consistently in 2020, helping WHAUP’s solar rooftop investment portfolio size to reach 52 MW which exceeds the initial target of 50 MW by end of 2020, driving WHAUP’s total power portfolio capacity in operation and under construction to reach 601 MW in terms of shareholding equity.  On another front, WHAUP pushes ahead to perform solar rooftop EPC works, such as in the case of the abovementioned 5 MW Auto Alliance (Thailand) project.

Dr. Niphon Bundechanan, Chief Executive Officer of WHA Utilities & Power Plc or WHAUP, reveals that after pursuing its strong determination to provide integrated solar rooftop installation services, WHAUP has gained the trust of more and more customers. Currently, Auto Alliance (Thailand) Co or AAT, the car assembly plant for Ford and Mazda in Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Rayong), signed an agreement with WHA Solar Co, a subsidiary of WHAUP, to provide solar rooftop construction and operation service on the factory’s 45,000-sq-m rooftop space.

“For the Auto Alliance (Thailand) solar rooftop project, WHAUP’s service will cover all aspects of the project, including engineering, design, purchasing, construction and permits, as well as the system’s operation and maintenance for 10 years.  The installation began last November and is expected to be completed in August this year.  WHAUP has a professional team who specialize in providing high-standard utilities and energy services for industrial users.  At presence, we are on course to secure several additional similar projects in the near future,” said Dr. Niphon.

Due to its strength in solar rooftop business and trust from industrial customers nationwide, the company has so far signed a total of 52 MW solar rooftop investment projects (with nearly 40 customers) which exceeds the initial target of 50 MW by 2020, driving WHAUP’s total power portfolio capacity in operation and under construction to reach 601 MW in terms of shareholding equity.

Moreover, the company sets its goal to achieve the total solar rooftop portfolio capacity of 100 MW by 2022. The services will be provided to customers both in WHA Group’s industrial estates and outside.

Mr. Kel Kearns, President and CEO, Auto Alliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd. or AAT, noted that the company chose WHAUP for the solar rooftop installation on its factory because of its expertise in engineering and safety, as well as its integrated service experience. AAT is confident in WHAUP’s professionalism and capability.

Meanwhile, AAT also gives importance to the solar rooftop installation in order to lower its production costs by up to 790 million baht during its 25 years of solar power system operations, and to offset CO2 emissions by around 92,500 tons. This is in line with the company’s policy on environment protection to tackle global warming and reduce the greenhouse effect.