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Thailand’s Electrical Authority to Lower Electricity Costs

Thailand's Electrical Authority Egat to Lower Electricity Costs

A lower power tariff slated to go into effect in Thailand on September 1st not only implies lower electricity costs for individuals and companies in the final four months of the year, but it also helps the debt-ridden Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) with its debt-reduction goal.

The Explainer delves into the new power tariff, which is heavily reliant on petrol prices, and explains why Egat is involved in calculating the rates. Despite the fact that tariff prices have been lowering since May, there has been an increase in the installation of rooftop solar panels among homeowners and state entities.

lowering energy costs Thailand

Lower Energy Costs in Thailand

If the newly agreed pricing by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is 4.45 baht per kilowatt-hour (unit), it will be the lowest tariff for 2023. Before the price of liquefied natural gas (LNG) skyrocketed last year in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the tariff was less than 4 baht.

In Thailand, natural gas is the primary fuel for energy generation. From May through August, households and businesses pay 4.7 baht per unit.

Businesses spent 5.33 baht per unit in the first four months of this year, up 13% from the previous record high of 4.72 baht per unit, while families paid 4.72 baht per unit.

After soliciting public feedback on three new power tariff rates from July 7 to 21, the ERC decided in late July to cut the power tariff by 5.3% to 4.45 baht per unit. The 4.45 baht per unit fee was the lowest of the three possibilities, which also included 6.28 and 4.7 baht per unit.

The ERC chose the lowest rate in part due to a decrease in petrol costs, which are used to compute the fuel tariff, or Ft, which is a crucial component of the power tariff.

According to the regulator, the computation of the three electricity tariff alternatives was based on a 53% fall in the average price of the gas pool from the May-August cycle to 346 baht per million British thermal units.

The price of gas supplied from the Gulf of Thailand and Myanmar, as well as imported LNG, are used to calculate the gas pool price.

Prices for imported LNG and coal have fallen, while Thailand expects a higher supply of cheap indigenous gas, according to the ERC.

According to Khomgrich Tantravanich, secretary-general of the ERC, the new rate of 4.45 baht per unit reduces the Ft by 26% to 0.66 baht per unit, down from 0.91 baht per unit in the May-August cycle.

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Debt

Because a portion of electricity bills is used to reimburse the authority, the new power tariff is based not only on petrol prices and public opinion, but also on Egat recommendations. The ERC evaluated various times to pay back Egat, which incurred a huge deficit after subsidising electricity bills from September 2021 to May 2023, in calculating the new rate.

According to the regulator, the loss will drop to 135 billion baht by the end of this month.

If Egat picked a higher tariff rate, it might settle its loss in less time. The 6.28-baht charge would let the authority to pay off its debt by December of current year, while the 4.7-baht duty would pay it off by September 2024.

During his most recent media interview last week, Egat governor Boonyanit Wongrukmit stated that the authority does not agree with recommendations to reduce the power tariff from 4.45 baht per unit since it would harm future investment in power infrastructure.

He claims that prolonging the return period will have an impact on Egat’s cash flow and credit rating, potentially leading to increased lending rates. This will impede the authority’s investment in power transmission development, harming energy security in the long run, according to Mr Boonyanit.

solar panel cost

Solar Energy in Thailand

Solar energy reduces customers’ reliance on the power grid, resulting in lower power bills. Despite the fact that the power tariff will be reduced next month, homeowners, businesses, and government organisations are considering installing rooftop solar panels to better deal with volatility in electricity rates.

The Department of Medical Services, which supervises over 30 hospitals around the country, is interested in clean energy.

The department agreed to examine and prepare a proposal to install rooftop solar panels at a pilot hospital with Energy Absolute Plc (EA), a renewable energy and electric car producer and operator.

If the solar modules do not create enough electricity, the department intends to deploy an energy storage device to provide a consistent supply of green energy.

Amorn Sapthaweekul, EA’s deputy chief executive, had stated that the corporation and the department are in the process of selecting the project’s pilot hospital.

After the cabinet voted on March 22, last year, to encourage agencies to reduce power and oil usage by 20%, in part by considering the installation of rooftop solar panels in collaboration with the business sector, clean energy is getting attention from state agencies.

Business

PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.

Pepsi

(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.

This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.

Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.

Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.

The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.

Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.

Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.

The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.

Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.

Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.

Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.

Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.

Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”

Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.

The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.

Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.

The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.

Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”

Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.

The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.

Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.

The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:

SOURCE: CNBC

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

Infosys

(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.

This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.

For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.

This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.

Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”

This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.

This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.

Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.

Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.

Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.

This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.

It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.

Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”

This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.

We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.

Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.

SOURCE: THBL

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

water

The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.

water

American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.

water

The corporation stated that it has alerted legal enforcement and is cooperating with them. It also stated that consumers will not be charged late fees while its systems are unavailable.

According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SOURCE | AP

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