Kumshing Executive Director Ir BK Mak (right) and Director Dr Steven Lau (left) investigated the overhead lines in urban Bangkok.
In the Hong Kong - Thailand Cooperation Agreements Signing Ceremony at the Third Belt and Road Summit, hosted by the Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), HKTDC Chairman Dr Vincent Lo, and Dr Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand congratulated Hong Kong Energy Infrastructure Limited (HEI), a consulting and investment arm of Kumshing, on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Metropolitan Electricity Authority of Thailand (MEA) for “The Provision of Feasibility Study on Undergrounding Overhead Power Lines”, regarding the delivery of consulting services to the HK$12 billion Bangkok undergrounding project.
Going Underground in Bangkok
Tourists and residents have long considered Bangkok’s overhead lines and cables a major eyesore. However, transitioning from above-ground to underground cabling has proven slow and costly for many cities. In 2016, the Thai government announced a five-year undergrounding project, with a budget of 51.7 billion Thai baht (HK$12.3 billion), under which the MEA aims to complete a total of 214 km of underground transmission lines by 2021. To ensure the smooth operation of works, MEA also needs to communicate with and take care of nearby residents, and coordinate temporary traffic arrangements with the Royal Thai Police. To date, 43.5 km -- or 20.3 percent of the total -- has been completed.
MEA Deputy Governor Sompong Pongsakulrangsri said at the signing ceremony in Bangkok: “I believe Bangkokians want to see all overhead cables go underground despite all difficulties. MEA has every confidence in HEl’s professional consulting services and looks forward to its contribution.”
Hong Kong Energy Infrastructure Limited (HEI) offers consulting and other product-related services to infrastructure asset owners and managers to enhance their operational performance in relation to sustainability. It also seeks to invest in strategic assets locally and abroad to enable the research, development and application of smart city related technologies.
“Through this new and exciting collaboration, we will explore broader business opportunities in Thailand, and bring the brand of Hong Kong Energy Infrastructure to other countries and regions along the Belt and Road,” said Rex Wong, CEO of Kumshing.