Amata, B.Grimm invest $36m in floating solar project at Thai industrial estate

The project will use reservoir space at an industrial estate in Chonburi.

Thai companies Amata Corporation Public Company Limited and B.Grimm Power Public Company Limited are investing $36.1m (THB1.2b) in a floating solar power project at Amata City Chonburi Industrial Estate.

The 42.5 megawatt-peak solar project is being developed through Amata B.Grimm Renewable Energy Co., Ltd, a 75/25 joint venture between Amata U Co., Ltd. and B.Grimm Power Smart Solution Co., Ltd.

It will use reservoir space within Amata City Chonburi Industrial Estate to help meet the renewable electricity needs of investors in Amata’s industrial city.

The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 29,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually once it begins commercial operations.

“This project reflects Amata’s commitment to transforming Amata City into a smart and sustainable industrial city, whilst advancing our goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040,” said Satha Vanlabhpatana, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amata B.Grimm Renewable Energy and Chief Strategy Officer of Amata Corporation.

Saroche Arunpairojkul, Executive Vice President – Industrial Customer Relations and Operation Management at B.Grimm Power, said the company aims to increase the share of clean energy in its power generation portfolio to more than 50% by 2030.

Using reservoir space without requiring additional land will allow the project to expand renewable-energy access for industrial customers and support a lower-carbon utility system, according to Chawalit Tippawanich, CEO of Amata U.

The collaboration is aligned with B.Grimm Power’s GreenLeap – Global and Green strategy, which focuses on expanding the company’s renewables portfolio and industrial customer base alongside its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

(US$1 = THB33.26)