BANGKOK: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today officiated the launch of Ranhill Holdings Bhd’s new seven-million litres per day (mld) reclamation water treatment plant in Thailand’s Amata City Rayong Industrial Estate here.
Wan Azizah, who is currently in Bangkok for her maiden official visit to Thailand, virtually launched the new plant located in Rayong province, about two hours’ drive from the capital city.
Ranhill president and chief executive Tan Sri Hamdan Mohamad said the build-operate-transfer project with a 20-year concession was signed between Ranhill’s subsidiary, AnuRAK Water Treatment Facilities Co Ltd and Amata Water Co Ltd in March last year.
The plant expansion brings the group’s investment in the water, wastewater and reclamation water treatment in Thailand to 992 million baht (RM129.59 million) and capable of generating water sales of over 4.1 billion baht (RM535.62 million) over the concession period.
With the completion of this project, Ranhill currently has two water reclamation plants in Thailand with a total capacity of 17 mld including another ‘built and operate’ 10 mld facility in Amata City Chonburi (formerly known as Amata Nakorn), which has been in operation since 2008.
Speaking to reporters after the launch, Hamdan said water reclamation was a growing component of the group’s environment business overseas, with reclaimed or recycled water as an alternative water source that could efficiently meet growing industrial demand as the volume of wastewater discharge increases.
“We see tremendous prospects in Thailand, especially with the Thai government’s focus on regulating the water sector.
“Continuing growth is expected for industrial projects in the eastern seaboard region which is seen by the World Bank as one of the most successful sites for massive industrial developments,” he said.
Ranhill’s total water treatment aggregate capacity in Thailand now stands at 114 mld from 10 water treatment, wastewater treatment and water reclamation plants in operation across the various Amata industrial estates.
Hamdan said the group was targeting to increase its capacity in Thailand to 174 mld by 2022, by securing more water and wastewater projects from major industrial parks like Amata.
The Amata City Rayong and Amata City Chonburi Parks are spread over 7,033 hectares of prime industrial land, making Amata one of the largest industrial developers in Thailand.
“We are set to expand our international footprint in the long term, with Thailand being one of our two primary markets, alongside China,” he added.
Wan Azizah was accompanied on her visit by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya and Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Jojie Samuel.
Also present at the launch was Amata Water Co Ltd managing director Chuchat Saitin.
Ranhill is a Malaysian conglomerate with interests in environment and power sectors, and provides water supply services, operates water and wastewater treatment plants, and provides specialised services in the management and optimisation of water utility assets. — Bernama
