EGCO Group Highlights Sustainable Power Operations and Biodiversity Leadership at IBD 2025

To reinforce its leadership in international power and energy-related businesses, Electricity Generating Public Company Limited or EGCO Group recently participated in the International Conference on Biodiversity 2025 (IBD 2025), held under the theme “Biodiversity and Humanity in Global Crisis.” EGCO Group presented an exhibition booth titled “Energy for Life: EGCO Group Pathway Towards Biodiversity Target,” showcasing its experience in operating power and energy-related businesses in harmony with environmental and biodiversity conservation across all its locations. This reflects the company’s strong commitment to supporting the global energy transition through sustainable and responsible operations.

Mr. Tawatchai Sumranwanich, President of EGCO Group, said that EGCO Group operates with a strong commitment to be a major sustainable Thai energy company with full commitment to environment protection and social development support. Guided by this vision, EGCO Group places great importance on caring for the environment and preserving biodiversity across all areas where it operates spanning seven countries, from Thailand to the Asia-Pacific and the United States. Believing that “A good start will lead to a successful outcome”, the company strives to minimize negative impacts from its operations while enhancing positive contributions to society and the environment. Recognizing the increasing effects of climate change and the power industry’s dependence on natural resources for energy production, EGCO Group has placed a strong focus on biodiversity promotion and protection as a key part of its sustainability strategy.

EGCO Group has demonstrated a strong commitment to biodiversity management and forest conservation, establishing these as fundamental guidelines for the operation of both existing and new power plants, as well as for its direct and indirect partners and suppliers throughout the supply chain. This ensures that biodiversity practices are consistently implemented across the entire organization. The company has also introduced comprehensive environmental impact mitigation measures, encompassing avoidance, impact reduction, rehabilitation or restoration, compensation, monitoring, and auditing, along with the preparation of ecosystem and biodiversity rehabilitation and compensation plans. In addition, EGCO Group strictly complies with the Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series and the regulations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as well as the standards of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

For more than 33 years, EGCO Group has continuously demonstrated its commitment to environmental and biodiversity conservation through a range of initiatives implemented by its power plants. Key projects include:

1. Biodiversity Surveys and Databases – EGCO Group conducts regular surveys and develops databases of local species around its power plants, tracking biodiversity indicators such as species types, population numbers, and changes over time. For example, the Khanom power plant in Nakhon Si Thammarat province has created an animal database and carried out surface fauna surveys along Khanom Beach and nearby areas.
2. Ecological Conservation and Rehabilitation – The Khanom power plant collaborates with many organizations on the “Ban Don Harn Mangrove Rehabilitation and Community Relation Project,” under which more than 700 mangrove trees of 10 species have been planted. In the Philippines, the Quezon power plant and San Buenaventura power plant have launched a sea turtle conservation project to help protect this endangered species, successfully saving over 85 sea turtles since 2007.
3. Promoting Environmental Awareness – EGCO Group actively fosters environmental responsibility and biodiversity conservation awareness among its employees, local communities, and the general public in all areas where it operates.

EGCO Group has also promoted watershed forest and biodiversity conservation and rehabilitation in major watershed forests in Thailand through the operations of Thai Conservation of Forest Foundation, a non-profit organization established and operated by EGCO Group since 2002. One of the major projects under Thai Rak Pa foundation is to raise awareness among youth, the general public, and visitors through the development of nature trail projects. From 2015-2024, the foundation has completed 10 nature trail projects in four national parks in three provinces – Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chaiyaphum. In 2025, the foundation is working on a nature trail on Doi Pui in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Chiang Mai. The project will be completed and delivered to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation within this year.

The International Conference on Biodiversity 2025 (IBD 2025) was held from November 5–7, 2025, organized by Kasetsart University in collaboration with the National Research Council of Thailand. Key organizations participating in the event included the National Science and Technology Development Agency (Public Organization), Chitralada Technology Institute, and the Suan Luang Rama IX Foundation. The conference aimed to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on the occasion of her 70th birthday anniversary in 2025, and to provide a platform for knowledge exchange among Thai and international researchers in all dimensions of biodiversity - research, conservation, protection, rehabilitation, and sustainable utilization as well as to strengthen international cooperation networks.