Sustainable Water

Why is this Important?

Electricity generation, particularly water in cooling system of power plants, relies on water resources, Water management is therefore one of the main priority issues of interest of EGCO Group which is monitored on a continuous basis. EGCO Group is determined to use water resources efficiently and at the same time safely discharge the effluent from its operation in order to prevent any impacts on the environment and communities surrounding its operational sites, as well as working in strict compliance with relevant regulations and legal requirements.

Management Approach

Sustainable Water Target

[GRI 303-1]

Reduce the freshwater consumption and increase the portion of reused and recycled water

Total net freshwater consumption is not over 5.04 million cubic meters

Total net freshwater consumption 4.66 million cubic meters

Integrated Water Management

[GRI 303-1, 303-2]

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Water management within the organization is incompliance with EGCO Group’s environmental policy and follows 3R Principles that is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

To enhance water management to its highest efficiency and reduce raw water consumption within the organization to a minimum. Effluent has been reused for several purposes for example, watering plants, spraying for exhaust temperature reduction, cleaning the road or spraying on the road to control dust dispersion. Effluent quality has been monitored regularly to ensure compliance with local standards at each particular site before being discharged to the environment.

EGCO Group has monitored and analyzed water situations continuously and followed water risk management guidelines to reduce and relieve any potential risk to ensure the continuity of power plant operation as summarized below.

Water Risk Management Guidelines

Assessment of water-related risk

Water risk assessment was undertaken with the consideration of various risk issues including drought, water shortage, water quality, legal risk, and water price which could increase the production cost. Results of the assessment show that all EGCO’s power plants in various countries are not located in water shortage areas.

In addition, from the risk assessment using scenario analysis of 10%, 30%, and 50% water reduction, taking into consideration the likelihood of occurrences and severity of impacts, the majority of power plants have low to very low water risk because there is sufficient amount of water and measures in response to water shortage have been in place.
Assessment of quantity and quality related to water risks

Issues related to water resources data are reviewed prior to the construction of power plants, baseline data are also collected, and during the operation of power plants, water situation in such areas is monitored constantly.

In addition, the risk assessment of physical water in local area of the power plants has been conducted in terms of water quantity (e.g. water shortage, seasonal variation, and drought risk) and water quality (e.g. wastewater) using the tool AQUEDUCT Water Risk Atlas on a regular basis. Results of the assessment show that the majority of EGCO Group’s power plants are not affected by water shortage because their reservoirs are sufficient, response measures are in place, and they are not located in drought risk areas.
Risk assessment of water-related regulatory changes and pricing structure

EGCO Group has monitored water-related regulatory changes and pricing structure on a regular basis. Impacts due to regulatory and policy changes have been evaluated, as well as future changes in pricing structure, wastewater treatment, and relevant licenses under Water Resources Act B.E. 2561 (2018), using the tool AQUEDUCT Water Risk Atlas.
Management of water-related stakeholder conflicts

Apart from water management within the organization, water management outside the organization is also of importance. EGCO Group works in collaboration with nearby communities to conduct satisfaction surveys, receive problems, and discuss to find solutions for water resource problems in the communities. EGCO Group has organized meetings with the communities at least twice a year, with the participation of representatives of power plants, government agencies, and communities to present the results of power plant’s implementation of environmental management, and receive recommendations from all stakeholders to minimize conflicts with the communities due to the use of water for different purposes i.e. industrial and agricultural purposes around the power plants.

EGCO Group conducted scenario analysis to forecast potential impacts on watercourses in the future, together with developed water risk management plan and emergency response measures for the readiness of water risk management in all aspects e.g. water distribution, water consumption, and quality of effluent. EGCO Group also takes part in integrated watershed management initiatives at the locations where the power plants situate e.g. supporting sustainable conservation of watershed forests through Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation (TCOF).