Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome along with Somsak
Pittayapongporn, manager of the Provincial Electricity Authority in
Pattaya, and Pattaya councilors jointly flick the switch to turn on the
power on Koh Larn.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
More than a year later than its planned completion
date, work to lay and connect an undersea cable to bring electricity to
Koh Larn is finally done.
The 140 million baht cable running between Pattaya
Park and the island’s Tha Rai Bay was supposed to have been operational
in August 2009. Late or not, Koh Larn residents plagued by decades of
power outages expressed relief and pleasure.
The Provincial Electricity Authority project was
launched after Koh Larn outgrew its tiny power station, which supplied
only 2 mw of electricity to the island and ran up losses of 2 million
baht. The new cable will bring 10 mw of power, covering the entire
island and accommodating about 80% of its projected growth. The price of
electricity for end users will remain the same.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said delays in the project
were caused by opposition to installation of high-voltage towers in
front of Pattaya Park in Jomtien Beach. The tower plan was eventually
jettisoned in favor an underground solution.
Itthiphol said the system will supply enough
electricity for 10 years. And during the next decade the PEA will work
on a more-robust system.
Koh Larn currently hosts about 900 homes and as many
as 4,000 residents.