Fire at Phichit biomass plant burns 1,000 tonnes of fuel
A fire broke out at a biomass power plant in Taphan Hin district, Phichit province, engulfing over 1,000 tonnes of compressed fuel. Emergency services, including 15 fire trucks, responded to the incident. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and no injuries have been reported.
The facility, operated by Thip Phichit Hybrid Energy Company, started operations on December 24, 2022. Situated in Mueang 6, Thung Pho subdistrict, the 26-megawatt hybrid biomass power plant supplies 21 megawatts of electricity to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
The plant utilises agricultural waste, such as rice husks, sugarcane leaves, sugarcane stalks, and wood chips, as fuel. This approach supports sustainable energy production and significantly reduces the country’s reliance on imported fuels, which are costly.
Furthermore, the plant boosts local employment, with 80% of its workforce hailing from the area, creating numerous job opportunities. A fund has also been established to develop regions within a 5-kilometre radius of the plant. The biomass power plant began electricity production on December 28, 2022, reported KhaoSod.
In April last year, two biomass power plants in Mae Lan and Saba Yoi districts in Pattani province were set ablaze by armed individuals dressed in black. The assailants forcibly removed security personnel and workers before igniting the facilities. Significant property damage occurred, but no injuries were reported.
To prevent such accidents, using non-combustible or fire-resistant materials for construction and ensuring proper airflow can prevent heat buildup in biomass storage areas. Installing firewalls and segregated storage zones can limit fire spread, as well as equipping chimneys and exhaust systems with spark arrestors.
For storage safety, biomass piles should be continuously monitored for hotspots or spontaneous combustion risks. Maintaining appropriate moisture levels in biomass is essential, too dry material is more prone to ignition.
Large, compact biomass piles should be avoided to reduce heat buildup. Equipment that minimises dust and friction should be used, as fine particles are highly flammable.
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